Joe S. Romero

Joe S. Romero, age 98, a long-time resident of Albuquerque, NM was surrounded by his family when was called home to his Lord and Savior, Saturday, January 26, 2019. Joe was a decorated soldier, a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, father in-law and friend. Joe was born on Sunday, September 26, 1920 to Alfonso and Delfina Romero of Las Cruses, N.M. Joe was the oldest of ten children, 5 brothers and 5 sisters. He survived by his daughter, Ana Gonzales and husband Dennis; his only grandson, Michael Vincent Gonzales and 3 sisters, Angelita Orona, Lorraine Zamora and Paula R. Sierra. Joe leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, many special friends and extended families. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 60 years, Josephine; his 2 sons, Ernest Romero and Joseph Romero.

At 19 Joe enlisted in the New Mexico Army National Guard on September 21, 1940 joining his younger brother, Frank Romero. Both brothers were then assigned to the New Mexico’s 200th Coast Artillery group, an anti-aircraft unit. On January 6, 1941 the 200th Coast Artillery Group, with a total of 1800 troops, was activated and was deployed overseas to the Philippine Islands to provide air defense for Clark Field (Clark Air Base) for the island of Luzon. The unit later split into a second regiment, the 515th coast artillery group to defend Manila. On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces bombed the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor and the next day proceeded with the invasion of the Philippines. For the next 4 months the American-Filipino army held Japanese forces back without naval or air support, minimal ammunition, food and many men to sickened by disease to fight, thus earning the name of the “Battling Bastards of Bataan”, with the infamous chant, “No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam!” The 200th Coast Artillery is credited to be the first “first to fire” on the enemy. On April 9, 1942 Joe and his brother, Frank were among the 75,000 troops surrendered at Bataan and who were forced to walk a grueling 65-miles to their prison camps. Of the 49 months of Joe’s service in the Asiatic Pacific Theater 41 months were spent as a Japanese Prisoner of War. When finally rescued in September 1945, at the age of 25 Joe weighed only 110 pounds. After the war he returned to Albuquerque to live with his brother, Frank. One day in 1947 Joe was riding in a bus when he saw a beautiful girl with long wavy hair sitting at the front of the bus. Joe got up enough nerve to ask to sit next to her and the rest was history. Joe and Josephine were married on May 5, 1947 and completed 60 years of marriage right before Josephine’s passing in August 2007. The couple raised 3 children, Ernest, Joseph and Ana Marie in a loving catholic home. Joe was a well-known salesman at Levine’s department store for over 20 years. Joe loved the public as much as he loved the sale. He was always dressed in a suit and tie for his job and outfitted many of the businessmen in the downtown area offices with stylish suits and hats. When the Beatles first came to America Joe had the insight to stock the store with Beatle-like suits and the infamous women’s white vinyl boots making Levine’s the “happening place”.

In his later life Joe was very active in helping care for his only grandson, Michael Vincent Gonzales “my-ko”. Joe was a volunteer and assistant coach at the Holy Ghost Catholic School and was affectionally known as “Grampa Joe”. In Joe’s eyes the world revolved around his “hito”. He was a kind a gentle soul and made many friends during his lifetime.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019, 5:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service to follow at 5:30 p.m. at FRENCH – Westside. A Rosary will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, 8:15 a.m. with a Mass to follow at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s on the Rio Grande Church, 5901 St. Joseph’s Ave. NW. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park at 924 Menaul Blvd. NE.