Andrew "Andy" Zamora

Andrew (Andy) Zamora passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 22, 2024. 

 Andy a lifelong resident of Santa Rosa, and member of Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, attended Saint Rose Catholic School up to the 9th grade, graduated from Santa Rosa High School “class of 1970”. He briefly attended the University of New Mexico prior to enlisting in the United States Army. Andy was committed to a life of service and community. He was member of the Santa Rosa Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years, a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus as well as serving on other community committees and youth coach.

 Andrew Zamora, best known as “Papa”, was a caring and friendly man. He was the kind of person who would give someone a unique nickname just so they would feel special. He was a known Patriot’s fan and spent time visiting friends at the senior center, watching Big Bang Theory, CNN and John Wayne westerns. Hardly ever did a get together pass without Papa cracking a corny joke or referencing something nobody understood. Or when he would get lost playing the game UNO because he couldn’t distinguish the different colors due to his being color blind and refused to let us help him. He even took the time to build a whole princess playhouse colored pink and purple and drove it across the state just to surprise his grandkids. Astonishingly now that we are older, he gave us his permission to drive his truck around, even though we weren’t good drivers yet. What Andy loved most of all was when his family could all be together. 

 Andrew is proceeded in death by parents: Enrique and Lugarda Zamora, sister: Lugardita Zamora and grandsons: Daniel Thompson and Isaiah Thompson. 

 Andrew is survived by his wife Susie Zamora of Santa Rosa and his children: Andres Zamora (Pepper) of Santa Rosa, Vicente Zamora (Latishia) of Garfield, Rebecca Zamora (Justin) of Santa Rosa, Claudia Madrid of Las Cruces and Benjamin Madrid of Albuquerque, grandchildren: Ella Zamora, Olivia Zamora, Juliana Zamora, Emma Zamora and Aiden Zamora, great-grandsons: Damitri Thompson and Kenneth Thompson and brother Eduardo Zamora (Julia) of Houston, Tx. 

 Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary will be Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 7PM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa.

 The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 10AM at Saint Rose of Lima. Interment of cremains, with military honors will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Santa Rosa with Andres Zamora, Vicente Zamora, Benjamin Madrid, Justin Zamora, Ella Zamora, Olivia Zamora, Juliana Zamora, Emma Zamora, Aiden Zamora, Damitri Thompson and Kenneth Thompson serving as Urn Bearers. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Ralph Sena, Tudy Sanchez, Victor Baca, Alfredo Cordova, Jeff Encinias, Max Tenorio, Claude Salcido, Anthony Salcido, Artie Salcido, Mike Velasquez, Dennis Romero, Dickie Ogaz, Andy Alvarez, Diego Pompa, Chris Sisneros and Class of 1970. 

 Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369.