Fausto Enrique Espinosa

Fausto Espinosa, 87, passed away in Albuquerque after a lengthy illness on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. A lifelong devout Catholic, his great faith sustained him throughout his life and his family takes comfort in the knowledge he is finally at peace in the company of his Loving Savior, Mother Mary, and all the Saints and Angels from whom he sought succor. His parents, Manuel and Maria Espinosa; his brother, Rev. Francisco Espinosa, J.S.; and sister, Maria Augusta predeceased him.

Mr. Espinosa is survived by his wife of 55 years, Hilma Espinosa Roman; and their three children: daughter, Hilma E. Chynoweth and husband, Jim, son, Fausto I. Espinosa and wife, Erika Bailey, and son, J. Manuel (Manolo) Espinosa and wife, Lilly Fu. He took great delight in welcoming nine grandchildren into his family and his inquisitive spirit will live on in William, Henry, Thomas, and Olivia Chynoweth; Caroline, Theodore Fausto, and Nicolas Espinosa; Luc and Claire Espinosa. Also surviving Fausto are his siblings, Rev. Manuel Espinosa, J.S., Eulalia Jimenez, Jose Espinosa, Pilar Velez, and Pablo Espinosa. Many nieces, nephews and extended family will remember him lovingly as well. Though separated from his brothers and sisters by many miles, Fausto looked forward to their weekly Monday night Skype sessions to which he referred as ‘La Conferencia.’ He relished telling stories about growing up in Ecuador and his weekly chats with his family kept alive for him the memories of his youth.

Born in Quito, Ecuador, Fausto left behind family, friends, property, and a small business in 1963 to immigrate to the United States with his wife. Possessed of an unparalleled work ethic, he held down a full-time job with Pucci Distributing, and then Premier Distributing, as well as part-time work evenings as a bartender at the Elks Club, and doing landscape work for many homes on the weekends. Fausto sought to do the right thing the right way, forever trying to discover how to improve any given situation. He loved getting to know people and made many friends along the way. Fausto especially cherished the friends he made at his parish, Our Lady of Fatima. He was very honored to have been a member of the Holy Name Society ministry there. The family is most grateful to Bill Long and his wife Barbara Posler for their unfailing attention to Fausto over the years, especially so in the last eleven months.

We will miss the twinkle in his eyes, his fondness for chocolate, and the great love he held for his family.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE, 87110, followed by the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Father Stephen Schultz will be Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima with Interment immediately following at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. It was Mr. Espinosa’s wish that donations be made to Our Lady of Fatima Parish.