Eugene C. Mortimer died at home in Taos, NM on October 17, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Las Vegas, NM on November 19, 1943, Gene was a 1961 graduate from the New Mexico Military Institute. A Marine Vietnam War Veteran, Gene was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" in 1966.
Upon his return to civilian life he received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Mexico and his Masters from New Mexico State University.
Following his Masters program, he was the Entomologist for the State of New Mexico and then moved into Environmental Health with the City of Albuquerque, from which he retired in 1995 after a dedicated career.
Gene started a new phase of his life in 1998 with Fire and EMS in the Village of Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. He served as the volunteer Fire Chief for seven years and was an active EMT. His commitment to his beloved Ski Valley was unfaltering.
An avid skier and adventurer, Gene loved to travel, explore and experience new things.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Harold and Peg Mortimer; first wife, Sandy Bason Mortimer; son, Harold Mortimer; and stepson, Peter Casey. He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary of Taos; and adoring daughter, Maggie (Frank) Cinnella of Pinellas Park, FL; plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. A private service is to be held at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico and a celebration of Gene's life will be held in early summer 2016.
A special note of gratitude to his friends who have stood beside him throughout this journey; caring Physicians, Alden Cockburn, Marc Steinberg and David Snyder; spiritual comfort from Rev. Mike Olsen, Rector of Saint James Episcopal Church; and his physical comfort care through hospice with Mountain Home Health Care.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Gene's memory to the charity of your choice.
To Those Who Mourn (an excerpt)
By C. W. Leadbeater
For that is the real truth; man is a soul and has a body.
The body is not the man, it is only the clothing of the man.
What you call death is the laying aside of a worn-out
garment and it is no more the end of the man than it
is the end of you when you remove your coat.
Therefore you have not lost your friend, you have only lost
sight of the cloak in which you were accustomed to see him.
The cloak is gone, but the man who wore it is not.
Surely it is the man that you love and not the garment.
Interment Details
Santa Fe National Cemetery