Manuel Bueno passed away peacefully at home on March 20, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife Lillian, and his five children, Anthony “Tony” Bueno, Theresa Doyle, Louise (Gina) Aragon, Frank Bueno, and Manuel (Mel) Bueno Jr.. He was 92 years old. He was born October 1, 1930 to Oracio and Carmelita Bueno. He was the youngest of 4 children, but all his siblings had died as children, so he was raised as an only child. He attended school up to the 8th grade, then as most boys of the time, began to work to help the family. He was a hard worker and enjoyed the physical labor he did with his father. Goat herding and sorting coal piles were things he often told stories of. His first “real job” at 15 years old was at Cordova Grocery where he was hired by Hijinio Cordova. His job was to light the boilers in the morning so they could have hot water by opening time and he would help clean and sweep the store and run errands, deliver groceries or pick up supplies. He would do whatever needed to be done, and that is where his interest in the business started. He then moved on to work for Charles Hathoot at C&H grocery and market where he continued to expand his knowledge of the grocery and meat market business, which allowed him to later become a partner in the business with Jack Vallejos, then eventually with the support of his young wife, took it over to run with his family. They ran the business in the Bell block on Main street for 17 years until a fire started in the place above them, and caused a lot of water damage to the business. Manuel being the hard-working, determined man that he was, found a new location and moved the store to Commercial street where he, his wife, and family continued to provide “Mom and Pop” grocery services to the community. Manuel was very humble, but in his later life began to share stories of how many people in the community he helped. He told about how friends and family would often tell him, “You are never going to be paid back” but he did it anyway. There were the obvious things he did, like sponsoring baseball teams and always encouraging the boys to play hard to win, so he could give them a free soda or ice cream for their win, but he always gave them one, win or lose. Somehow, C&H seemed to always have good teams. He would provide credit to single moms with children, to coal miners who may be struggling to get by, or to anyone who needed it. He told us he knew some would never be able to pay him back, but he knew that families would not be hungry and that was more important to him. He would say, “I’ll never get rich, but I will know I helped people who needed it.”
With the changing of times, and the incoming big businesses, his little grocery store began to struggle so with the help of his boys and the support of his wife, he was able to change the grocery store into a restaurant and worked there until he retired at the age of 82. Manuel continued his giving nature in the restaurant business by providing meals to those in need, giving extra servings and not charging for them, and just being sure nothing went to waste, he would donate leftovers to soup kitchens, groups, or people on the street he knew needed the help. He was a strong man of faith, who had his own way of worship, but never failed to share his belief in God by never letting anyone leave his presence without a “Go in Peace and God Bless You.” He remained the strong, determined, and faithful man all the way to the last day, showering his family in love and praise, and thanking them for being such a “beautiful family”. He was proceeded in death by his Mother and Father, his Son-In-Law David Doyle, and his granddaughter Deanna Torres. He is survived by his wife Vera Lillian Bueno of 72 years, his children Anthony “Tony” Bueno of Trinidad, Theresa (Andy Armijo) Doyle of Trinidad, Gina Louise (Tony) Aragon of Pueblo, Frank Bueno of Arizona, and Manuel Jr. (Kathy) Bueno of Trinidad as well as 33 Grandchildren, 8 Great-grandchildren, and 17 Great-great grandchildren. Manuel chose to be cremated and a celebration of life with interment will be held at a later date where the public will be invited to attend and pay respects. The family has requested that their privacy be respected at this time. Special thanks to Dr. Borsa, Mt. Rose Health Center Palliative Care and Hospice for the tender loving care, and to Kitsy Winter at Comi Funeral Home.
