Jose L Pino

After a brief illness, Jose Leon Pino passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at home on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Jose was born on March 30, 1918, the fourth of 13 children born to Samuel and Rebecca Pino in Anton Chico, New Mexico. Jose attended school in Anton Chico and enlisted in the army on January 10, 1941. He served as Corporal and squad leader for heavy weapons for the 157th Infantry Division M Company. Just after the attack on Pearl Harbor his division was due to ship overseas when in a training accident in Pine Camp, NY, he suffered a ruptured eardrum and was treated at Walter Reed Hospital. He received an honorable discharge on October 15, 1943. He returned to Anton Chico and attended carpentry training at Highlands University. He married Celia Sanchez in 1945.They raised three children, Viola, Max and Maxine. He worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory during its construction phase before moving to Santa Rosa where he worked as maintenance supervisor for the Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools for 15 years. During this period he also served as the activity bus driver for the schools, driving the Santa Rosa Lions to and from their athletic activities throughout the state. He was then hired by the City of Santa Rosa where he was Water Superintendent until he retired in 1983. After retirement he and his wife moved to Edgewood, NM where he built his new home and enjoyed the past 27 years. Jose was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Celia, his parents Samuel and Rebecca, Pino; brothers Estevan Pino, Samuel Pino, Prospero Pino; sisters Alicia Pino and Brigida Pino-Montano. He is survived by his daughters: Viola Pino Madrid of Edgewood, NM, Maxine Pino Flores and husband Herman Flores of Plano,Texas; and his son Max Pino of Portales, NM. Jose was grandfather to 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his brothers, Cecilio Pino, Pete Pino, and Abelino Pino of Anton Chico, Reynaldo Pino of Albuquerque, and Arturo Pino of Fresno, CA.; sisters, Rebecca Pino-Aragon and Celia Pino-Marquez of Albuquerque, NM. A rosary will be recited at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Friday, June 28, at 9:30 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 at the St. Rose of Lima Church with interment following at St. Joseph cemetery. Serving as pall bearers will be his grandsons Chris and Matthew Flores, Jeff and James Madrid, Michael Pino, great-grandsons, Kevin Shelton and Marcus Sanchez, his nephews Nick Pino, Mark Gallegos and Dale Houlihan. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S.Third Street, Santa Rosa, NM, 88435, (575) 472-3369. To place an online tribute please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.