Frank Cleofes Melendez

Frank C. Meléndez, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 14, 2022 at the triumphant age of 95. He was born on November 8, 1927 in Mora, NM and attended high school in California where he lived with his Aunt Celina and Uncle Filimon. Frank enlisted in the US Navy in 1945, served as Seaman First Class on the USS Tucson in the South Pacific during the Second World War, and was awarded a Victory Medal. He married Arcelia Cordova, of Holman, NM, in 1948 and had six children. He worked in his father's lumber mill and spent time logging in northern New Mexico before migrating to work a mine in Wyoming, followed by doing construction in southern California. Mr. and Mrs. Meléndez owned a restaurant in Mora for a short time before settling permanently in Albuquerque in 1965, where he started his own concrete company - Melendez Concrete. He poured miles of concrete all over New Mexico and built a legacy in real estate over many decades as a responsible landlord.

He never met a stranger or forgot a name, and could carry a conversation with anyone, always finding something, some place or someone they had in common. He was a friend to so many people.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luisita and Santos; and by his son, Joseph. He is survived by his wife, Arcelia; five children, Louise Chavez and husband, Robert of Roswell, GA and their children and grandchildren; Francisco Meléndez and Jodi, of Holman, NM and his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter; Phillip Meléndez and wife, Roberta of Rio Rancho and their children and grandchildren; Consuelo Mickey and Gary of Albuquerque and her daughter; Ursula Martinez and husband, David of Albuquerque and their children and grandchildren; and he is survived by son, Joseph's children, Mariah and Joseph; as well as many nieces and nephews from his seven siblings. Frank had 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held in Albuquerque and in Mora, New Mexico, over two days: Friday, December 9, beginning at 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Assumption with a rosary led by Gabriel Meléndez, hermano de la Confradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno; 11:00 a.m. Mass followed by a reception at The Craft Room, 2809 Broadbent Parkway NE. On Saturday, December 10, services will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Mora at St. Gertrude's, with burial to follow at cemetery in Holman, and a reception at Mora High School cafeteria.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Miguel, Roberto, Pablo, David, Lorenzo, Estevan, Marcus, Joseph and Joshua.