Venancio Baca

Venancio C. Baca was born on May 18, 1940 in Mesa Rica, NM to Fulgencio and Monica Martinez Baca and passed from this life on August 26, 2008. After spending his childhood in Mosquero, Dawson and Pastura, NM the family moved to Vaughn in 1959 after the passing of his mother in 1957. That same year, Venancio graduated from Vaughn High School. In 1961 he met the love his life, Catalina Chavez. They married on November 3, 1962 and recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on a cruise with family and friends. After graduation, Venancio worked as a service station attendant and then worked for the Department of Transportation. In 1972 he began working for the Santa Fe Railroad as a trackman. He continued to work for the Railroad for 28 years until his retirement in 2000. Venancio had many talents and joys in his life. He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing to Spanish and oldies music. He also enjoyed experimenting with new notes and chords on his keyboard. For many years he played and sang in the Church Choir with his brother Benji and his sister in law Bertha. Throughout the years he played the guitar for many bands including the Gay Notes, Los Vatos, Revilion de Von and the Baca Brothers. Venancio loved being with his family and had a nickname for every one of them. He is survived by his wife Catalina of the family home in Vaughn, four daughters and son in laws; Ramona (Lazaro, Sr) of Taos, NM, Victoria (Ismael) Castillo, Veronica (Richard) Luna, and Pamela (Ernesto) Baca all of Albuquerque. Two grandsons; Derrick (Crystal) Castillo and Lazaro Cardena, Jr, eight granddaughters;Larissa Cardenas, Breanna Castillo, Meghan Gutierrez, Tatyanna Gutierrez, Anjelica Gutierrez, Mia Luna and Mykayla Roybal, one great granddaughter; Jaylynn Castillo. His is also survived by one brother; Benji (Bertha) Baca of Vaughn and one sister; Helen (Gifford) Crowe of Tucumcari as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents Cruz and Tita Baca, Miguel and Maria Martinez, one granddaughter; Petrina Castillo, a sister; Pauline who died as an infant, a brother; Mike Baca, sister; Martha Garcia, three nephews; Larry Baca, Ambrosio Chavez and Rafael Chavez, Jr. and his mother in law, Ceria Chavez. Rosary services will be held on Thursday, August 28, at 7:00 PM from St. Mary’s Church in Vaughn. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 29, at 10:00 AM also from St. Mary’s Church with Father Steve Sanchez officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn. Serving as Pallbearers will be; Johnny Sanchez, Robert Luna, Michael Baca, Mike Montoya, Pete Zamora and Jerry Baca. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, nephews and nieces. All services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd St. Santa Rosa, NM (575) 472-3369. For online condolences please log onto www.chavezfuneralhome.com.