Albert “Alberto” Chavez

Albert “Alberto” Chavez

1942-2023

Albert “Alberto” Chavez, at the age of 80, left his worries behind and joined loved ones who passed before him when he entered into the presence of our Heavenly Father on Jan. 18, 2023, after a long illness.

Albert was born at the Chavez family home in Veguita on Oct. 9, 1942, the first child of seven of Vidal and Rose Chavez. He graduated from La Joya High School in 1960 and went on to fulfill a 29-year career with the University of New Mexico. Albert also owned and operated Chavez’s Water Wells and was co-owner of United Septic Pumping.

In 1962, Albert married his neighbor and high school sweetheart, Sophie Ida Barela. They enjoyed 28 years of marriage until her death in 1990. Albert and Sophie made their home in Los Lunas, where they raised their two children, Yvonne and Jason.

They enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, target shooting, stargazing and spending time together at home. After Sophie’s passing, Albert retired from UNM. He then endured more than 32 long-suffering years caring for his son. He sacrificed everything. He was, however, able to live the majority of the rest of his life in his beloved hometown of Veguita, where he would appreciate the simple things in life, like his cigarettes and beer, and being able to see the beautiful landscape in every direction for miles.

Albert was not a man to sit idle. From sunrise to sunset, he always had multiple projects he was working on. In most cases, if he needed a part or a tool, he designed it and built it himself. He was a skilled craftsman, welder and engineer. A frequent attendee of auctions and yard sales, Albert found great pleasure finding old objects to which he could bring new life.

He was a master chile gardener and enjoyed many crafts and hobbies, such as wine and knife making, cane carving and Gordian knot tying, gifting most of his creations. A lover of history, he studied and completed extensive research of the Chavez genealogy in New Mexico. He is a descendant of Don Pedro Duran y Chaves and Dona Isabel de Bohorquez Baca, the progenitors of the Chavez family of New Mexico. After his genealogy studies, he chose to sign his name “Alberto De Cha’vez” when gifting his artwork.

Albert is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sophie (Barela) Chavez; his sister, Barbara Calendaria; and brothers-in-law, Felipe Martinez and Edward Romero.

He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Chavez-Lovato; son in-law, John Lovato; son, Jason Chavez; granddaughters, Lauren and Makaela Lovato; his sisters, Sarah Martinez, Tina Romero, Presilla Gonzales (Robert) and Debbie Pappas (Maxwell); brother, Larry Chavez; and his companion and caretaker, Mary Ann Abeyta.

A Catholic rosary was recited and mass was performed. He was laid to rest at the San Juan Catholic Cemetery. A celebration of life was held for his immediate family.

He will be dearly missed. Till we meet again and never part.