Porfirio H. Santistevan Jr. left this earth on June 23rd, 2023 surrounded by his family at his Jansen home at the age of 86. He was born January 26th, 1937 to Porfirio and Maria De Jesus Santistevan (Torres) in Tercio, CO. He was the 7th born out of 9 children. Not long after he was born, the family moved to Sopris where he lived until 1968 when Trinidad Lake was created. He always spoke fondly of his youth attending St. Thomas School playing fastpitch softball. They all grew up in an era of very little and times were often hard. He attended school up to the 8th grade before working odd jobs until he reached 18 when he landed a job working for the railroad from 1958 to 1971. He was employed by the Las Animas County Road and Bridge Division from 1971 until his retirement in 2008. He was married to Elvira Roybal on June 3rd, 1965. The couple were together for 57 years when Elvira passed away in July of 2022. They raised their 4 children in their home in Jansen.
He had many useful skills and abilities which are lost on younger generations due to the onset of technology. He loved to hunt, fish, and just spend time outdoors. He was a fan of the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys. He was a lifelong Catholic and attended church every Sunday until the physical demands on his body would not let him do so. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always had a keen sense of humor, liked to keep things light, and never pried into other people’s business. Hard work and honesty were traits he fondly admired in people.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Alex, Rudy, Celestino, Lena, Jose, and his wife Elvira who he loved with a passion we could never understand.
He is survived by his siblings John Santistevan, Nora Chavez, and Theresa Rael, his four children Henry (Mashell), Alan, Bert (Donna), and Sara (Pat), grandchildren Lucas, Katie, Hayley (Tony), and Tatum, great-grandchildren Kataleia and Ailani, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives too numerous to list.
Pallbearers are Tatum Bachicha, Tony Villalovas, Albert Cordova, Steve Chacon, Pete Bowman, John Santistevan Jr., and Steve Santistevan.
Honorary pallbearers are Lucas Santistevan, Katie Santistevan, Hayley Villalovas, Pat Bachicha, Timmy Mora, and Ayden West.
Viewing will be on July 5th at the Comi Funeral Home in Trinidad CO from 3 pm-7 pm with rosary to follow at 7 pm. The funeral will be held on July 6th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 10 am with burial to follow at the Trinidad Catholic Cemetery. Dinner will be held at the First Christian Church Hall immediately following the services.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that fruits, vegetables, or any other edible plant be planted in his memory as he was an avid gardener and loved tending to his plants and his apple trees.
