Manuel Pena

Manuel (Manny) was born in Las Cruces, NM, on October 22, 1934.  At an early age his family moved to Woodland, California where he grew up and graduated from Woodland High School.  He joined the Air Force in 1955 and was stationed in Anchorage Alaska.  He was honorably discharged in 1958.  He joined the Air National Guard in Albuquerque in 1964 and served his country for 30 years, retiring as a master sergeant in 1994.  In 1968 his National Guard Unit was activated to serve 1 ½ years at Tuy Hoa Air Base in Vietnam, as a noncommissioned officer in charge of Warehouse 8, 31st Supply Squadron.

Manny also joined the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) in 1963 (18th Cadet Class) and served the citizens of Albuquerque for over 20 years before retiring. He spent most of that time as a motorcycle patrolman, he loved riding the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles.  After retiring from APD, he worked in bank security for SunWest Bank and the Bank of America for 14 years retiring in 2008.  Manny was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Color Guard for 25 years and carried the flag at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park until 2016.  He has faithfully served his Lord, country, his community, and his family.  His favorite pass time was to attend Lobo Football games and Women’s Basketball with his wife and were season ticket holders for many years and was a fan of the Chicago Bears.  He loved to travel, camp, spend time with friends and family, work outside on his immaculate yard, play cards with family, barbeque, and he loved to dance.  He also enjoyed playing the guitar, singing mariachi music, and was known for his enthusiastic grito. He faithfully attended church and loved God.  He was a resident of Albuquerque for 50 years.  Manny passed at the ripe old age of 87 on January 13, 2022 in his home surrounded by family.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Peña; his children, Linda and David Gonzales and Larry and Carole Peña; his step-children, Todd Cousineau and Cindy Cousineau; his grandchildren,  Bernadette and Timothy Taylor, David Gonzales Jr., Jeff Peña, Claire Peña, and Ellie Peña; and his great-grandchildren, Casey Gonzales, Domonik Gonzales, and Lorenzo Gonzales.

On Friday, March 18, 2022, a Rosary, 10:30 a.m. and Mass, 11:00 a.m. will be held at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, on the corner of Lomas and Tennessee.  Burial will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m.