Ezekiel Mares

age 80, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away peacefully early Tuesday September 17, 2013 at his home with his family by his side. Mr. Mares was born in Fort Sumner, NM on June 25, 1933 to Mariano Mares and Florencia Casaus. He graduated from Fort Sumner High School and attended the University of New Mexico. He worked for and retired from the New Mexico State Highway Department (DOT), for 36 years, building highways and bridges across the state. Mr. Mares had also lived in Albuquerque for many years raising his family. He was married to Beatriz Mares on January 11, 2006, who sadly mourns their short time together. He was preceded in death by his father, his mother and a sister, Floripa Mares as well as an infant daughter, Celeste Denise. He is survived by his former wife, Mercedes Chavez of Vaughn, and four loving daughters and their partners: Lori Gonzales and Rafael Gonzales of Los Lunas; Claudette Mares and Mark Light of Albuquerque; Michelle Mares and Martin Armijo of Los Lunas; and Annelle Mares and Dennis Bachlet of Pecos; one stepson and his wife, Alejandro and Marisol Hernandez of Cuauhtemoc, CHIH, Mexico as well as 14 grandchildren and their partners: Maria and Tony Garcia; Ernesto Ezekiel Sena; Theresa Gonzales; Marlena and Manuel Robels; Ricardo J. Sena; Celeste and Carlos Gallegos; Rik Gonzales; Nicole and Derrik Del Mar; Natasha and Derek Schlegel; Kristine Torres and Mike Procurer; Susan Torres and Angelica Ramos; Ty Torres; Kiley Bachlet; Alejandro and Edwardo Hernandez; He was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren: Lily, Evan, and Mckenzie Gallegos, Stevie and Shayne Torres, Ethan and Jovan Schlegel, Ernesto Rohan Sena, Esteban Ezekiel Garcia, Gina McClean, Fancisco Gonzales, and Dakota Robels. Also left to cherish his memory are three sisters: Viola Baldonado of Albuquerque; Elizabeth Gallegos of Albuquerque; and Vivian Sena of Clovis and one brother and his wife, Mariano and Angie Mares Jr. of Roswell and Ruben Mares, his cousin and lifelong best friend; other cousins, many nieces and nephews and other relatives, extended family and friends who loved and respected him--he will be greatly missed. He had a great spirit of adventure, enjoyed traveling around the United States and Mexico; he loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing or just relaxing at home. He enjoyed music and comedy and watching football. More than anything he enjoyed time with family. He was a man of deep devotion, a strong work ethic and a love of learning. He set a standard for many around him that most would try and live up to. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to French Mortuary, please visit our online guestbook for Ezekiel Mares at a Rosary will be recited by David Gallegos on Sunday September 22, 2013 at 7:30 pm at San Clemente Catholic Church, 244 Luna Ave NE, Los Lunas, NM 87031. Funeral Services will be Monday September 23, 2013 at San Clemente Catholic Church at 10:00 am with a reception in the parish hall followed by burial of his ashes at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. I Saw Something Beautiful I saw something beautiful and It will forever be etched in my mind and imprinted on my soul. More beautiful than anything I have ever seen before. More beautiful than majestic mountains, more delicate than the most beautiful flower. More beautiful than sunsets or the break of dawn. I saw the sun shine just for us on that cold, snow drifted morning. I saw colors so dark, years of grief as they caught on it's rays lighting up so brilliantly I saw a little girl who lost her baby sister, Arranging shattered memories in a precious little white box. I saw the light of hope and the bond of love. I saw something beautiful. ~Michelle Mares