Felipe Cordova Gonzales

Felipe C. Gonzales, age 90, a life-long resident of Albuquerque, passed on into the arms of our Blessed Lord, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bersabe A. Gonzales; children, Daniel Gonzales and wife, Ada of Newport News, VA; Peter D. Gonzales and wife, Teresita of Las Cruces, NM; Michael A. Gonzales and wife, Laura of San Diego, CA; Philip Charles Gonzales and wife, Marguerite of Albuquerque; Paul Manuel and wife, Michelle of Bosque Farms; and Angela Marie Gonzales of Albuquerque; adopted children, Robert Lovato and wife, Carolyn of Bosque Farms; and Andrew Pacheco and wife, Gladys of Santo Domingo Pueblo; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren, whom he cherished deeply. Felipe is also survived by his sisters, Rose Costales, Bernice Costales, and Oralia Ana Gonzales. He was preceded into Eternal Rest by his parents, Isabelita and Pablo Gonzales; and sisters, Josefita Baca, Edith Aragon, and Gregorita Chavez.



Felipe was born in Albuquerque and graduated from Albuquerque High School, Class of 1944. He proudly served in the Army Air Corps in WWII, and he felt well repaid with the G.I. Bill to pursue a career in education. Felipe received from the University of New Mexico a BA in Spanish and English, a MA in Spanish, and a MA in Educational Administration. He also received grants to study adult education at Teachers College at Columbia University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Texas at Austin. A well-known and respected educator, he served the young people of El Rito, Grants, Belen, and Albuquerque. A devoted Catholic, he was a member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, where he served as a lector, cantor, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Spanish choir. As a master teacher of Spanish and English, Felipe enjoyed writing poetry, short stories, cuentos, and chistes, in Spanish and English. He captured his experience in the first grade, knowing no English, in his book Recess Is Not Forever, published in 2000. Felipe also enjoyed fishing, working in his garden and yard, and spending time at their little ranch in Ocate, NM. He was known for his ready smile, his hearty handshake, and his friendly abrazo. Felipe believed in the goodness of people and felt that young people were wrongly criticized and categorized. He truly enjoyed his 33 year career in education working with students and their parents. Friends may visit Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. until the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, December 4, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, the corner of Lomas and Tennessee, NE, followed by cremation. Private interment will take place at a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Felipe's name to the United Methodist Women, El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church, 701 Granite Ave. NW, 87102, St. Vincent de Paul, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 812 Guaymas Pl. NE, 87108, or Joy Junction, 4500 Second St., SW, 87105.