Orlando Gallegos

Orlando Gallegos 

1953-2023  

Orlando Gallegos, age 70, a resident of Belen, passed away Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, with his family by his side after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.  

Services will take place on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Public visitation will begin at 9 a.m., and a Rosary at 10 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., followed by Interment at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow at Belen Eagle Park Community Center near Belen High School.   

He is survived by his beloved son, Nick (Meghan); siblings, Robert Gallegos, Frances Rangel and Julia Harding (Keith); nieces and nephews, Windy Dunn (Craig), Richard Rangel, Arlene Harding (Marcos), Kevin Harding and Jeffrey Metcalf; mother of his sons, Alice Gallegos; and several loving great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

Orlando was preceded in death by his parents, Gillie and Manforita Peralta Gallegos; son, Frankie; brother-in-law, Richard Rangel; brother-in-law, Jeff Hall; and nieces, Dusty Gallegos and Amanda Garcia.  

Orlando graduated from Belen High School in 1971 and graduated from Denver Automotive shortly after. He was known in Belen as a master mechanic and worked at many auto shops in Belen, but he mostly enjoyed working as a shade-tree mechanic and also in the garage his brother built him.  

Orlando loved spending time with family and friends and, of course, the casino and all of the friends he met there. His real passion was always riding his Harley.  

Orlando was a jack of all trades and a genius who could fix anything. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anybody. He had the biggest heart of all, could never say “no,” and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. 

Pallbearers will be Arlene and Kevin Harding, Marcos and Paris Valencia, Maurie Rangel, Rudy Aragon and Jeffrey Metcalf. Honorary pallbearers will be Windy Dunn, Richard Carrillo, Keith Harding, and Joe Chrome.  

Special thanks to his wonderful hospice team and his very special cousin, Sylvia Torrez.  

Please sign Orlando’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.