Brigido Eloy Ortega, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in La Manga N.M. On Saturday, December 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Born to the late David Ortega Sr. and the late Elisa Andrada Ortega in Raton N.M. On October 27, 1942.
He was one of 17 children. He is proceeded in death by his brothers Juan B. Ortega and David Ortega Jr, sisters Trinidad Ortega, Bonefacia Ortega, Lucy Bustos, Rebecca Ortega, and Delia Ortega, brothers-in-law, Joe Bustos, Eloy Ortiz, R.C. Laird, and Guy Solano, and sisters-in-law, Concha Ortega and Mary Ortega and daughter Bridget Ortega-Sandoval.
Brigido is survived by his wife Estella Ortega and daughter Veronica Ortega Quintana (Daniel) of La Manga N.M.,a son-in-law Marvin Sandoval of Albuquerque, NM.; brothers Lawrence Ortega of Santa Fe N.M., Jimmy Ortega (Lenore) of La Manga N.M., Tom Ortega of Albuquerque N.M. and Bobby Ortega (Dolores) of Corrales N.M., sisters Josie Gonzales of Raton N.M., Annie Salazar of Albuquerque N.M., Lorraine Gallegos (Albert) of La Manga N.M., Margie Laird of Phoenix AZ, Kathy Rodriguez (Cesario) of Las Vegas N.M., and sister-in-law Louise Ortega of Denver CO.
He had 5 grandchildren, Kayla Silva (Britt), Daniel Silva, and Brandon Silva of Albuquerque N.M., and Daniel B Quintana (Danielle) and Dakota Skye Quintana of La Manga N.M. He had 2 great-granddaughters, Scarlett and Paisley. He was a wonderful Godfather to Anita Ortega Melendez, Aaron Ortiz, Jennifer Jordan, Rick Tafoya, the late Michael Archuleta, and Stephanie Gurulé Leyba.
Brigido grew up in Raton, N.M., and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School until the 8th grade, he then went on to graduate from Raton High School in 1961. He joined the Army National Guard. He met his wife Estella in 1967 and they were married on June 22, 1968, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Las Vegas, N.M. He moved to Denver CO to look for work after he married. He was a factory worker at Gates Rubber Company for 25 years. He built a beautiful life for his family in Denver. He works hard and devoted his life to his family. He led them in faith, never missing weekly mass or Holy days of Obligation. He always looked forward to his summer vacations, coming home to visit his NM family. In 1992 he decided to move back to where his heart was, La Manga NM. He worked for the NM DOT. Highway Department District 4, for 13 years at which time he retired with age. He met so many amazing friends at the DOT. After retiring he devoted his to time to being a full-time grandpa, taking his grandkids to and from school and those special trips to McDonald’s for 99 cent cheeseburgers.
He loved family vacations to Las Vegas Nevada, or the quick Sunday getaways to the Casinos in NM. He especially loved getting together with his wife, children, and grandchildren to celebrate the holidays or birthdays. His love for his family and his faith in God were his 2 most admirable qualities. His presence in our lives will be immensely missed.
A visitation will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023, in St. Francis Chapel at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 2315 Hot Springs Blvd., Las Vegas. NM from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. All services will be held from Our Lady of Sorrows Church with a rosary on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Rob Yaksich at 10:00 a.m. The interment will follow in the Santo Nino de Atocha Cemetery in Loas Manga, NM. Serving as casket bearers will be: Daniel Quintana, Dakota Skye Quintana, Daniel Silva, Brandon Silva, Jimmy Ortega, and Vicente Ortiz. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Santo Nino de Atocha Chapel in Las Manga, NM c/o Estella Ortega,14 de Los Camino de Ortega, Las Vegas, NM 87701
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