Mr. Pete Dabovich of El Paso, Texas passed away peacefully in his home on July 11th, 2025 at the age of 79. Pete was born to parents Roderick and Ange Dabovich on April 16,1946, in Trinidad, Colorado. Pete grew up in Raton, New Mexico, served in the National Guard, and graduated from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, where he played football. While earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Industrial Arts and Physical Education, Pete married the love of his life, Marie Antoinette Bernal of Raton, and started his family.
Pete was a force of nature who was determined to provide for his family. He led a full life doing
both what he loved to do and what he had to do in order to take care of his loved ones. He
worked as an educator and coach for the public schools, and as a horse groom and valet at La
Mesa Park before beginning a 29-year career with the United Parcel Service. Pete retired from
UPS in 2005, and he and Toni settled in El Paso, Texas. There he continued to enjoy his passion
for
horses at Sunland Park as an owner and spectator, his love for sports playing golf in the warm
weather, his dedication to his family as he and Toni traveled to visit and support their children,
while being their grandchildren’s biggest fan (with a little side-line coaching thrown in).
Anyone who knew Pete, knew that he was the most loyal, loving, and proud father and husband
a family could ask for. Pete will be loved, remembered, and missed by his surviving wife, Toni
Dabovich, his four children, Sandy Fanelli, Pete Dabovich Jr., Sherri McDowell, and Kristee
Dabovich, his two brothers, Johnny and Bobby Dabovich, his 8 grandchildren, 1 great
grandchild, their respective spouses, and his extended family and friends. His memory will
forever be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
At Pete’s request, he will be cremated and a Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at the
Raton Country Club on August 2, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. with a luncheon following.
In Loving Memory of Pete Dabovich
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I am saddened to hear the news about Pete. We were good friends at one time when we lived together
at Adams State. We met in Raton about 5 years and caught up on old times. He was a good athlete. In fact, he was the only person to ever hit a home run off me as I threw him a lazy curve. But I always enjoyed playing with him and against him.
My grief goes out to his family at this terrible time. But I know he was a great provider and cared for his family.
Bob Beaudette