Quirino Tapia, Sr. age 85 passed away on January 3, 2016 in Raton, NM.
He was born September 13, 1930 in Ribera, NM to Theodoro and Abelina Tapia. He was raised by his grandparents Fidelia and Jose Angel Lucero in Ribera, NM where he attended school until he was 17 and he moved to Raton. He enlisted in the Army and went to Fort Bragg North Carolina where he chose to be in the 82nd Airborne Division. He served his 4 years and decided to re-enlist and became an Army staff Sergeant while fighting the Korean War. He married his wife Erlinda Shirley Garcia while on furlough in January 1, 1952. Quirino was wounded in action while on duty and received the Purple Heart. He was a 100% disabled veteran.
Quirino was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, 2 brothers Teodoro and Valerio Tapia, 3 sisters Frances, Carmen and Dora, his 3 children infant daughter Mary Ann, Frances Tapia, and son Steve “Taps”, in-laws Joe and Petra Garcia and brother-in-law Manuel “Tweety” Garcia.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Shirley, his son and daughter-in-law Quirino and Sharon, daughter-in-law Diane Tapia, his poodle Chikata Tapia, grandchildren Stephanie and Christina Tapia, Valerie and Michael Martinez, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. His adopted grandson who visited him daily Michael Romero. His special nephew Joe Garica and wife Linda, 2 sisters-in-law Annie Garcia and Patsy Garcia, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will take place January 16, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:00 a.m. with Father John Trambley as the Celebrant. Rite of Committal and Inurnment will follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements for Quirino Tapia are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home of Raton.
Our heartfelt condolances to Shirley n family. May God comfort you in this time of sorrow
So very sorry. he was a great man who always treated me good. I will miss him always. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Shirley and the family! I remember the great times when hanging around with Steve at your house and the kindness Qurino and Shirley showed me. Thank you and RIP my Bro!