Nazario C de (Nick) Baca

Nazario C' de Baca, 96, passed away at home in Bernalillo, NM on July 31, 2013. He was born in La Cienega, NM to Manuelita (Gallegos) and Tomas on November 12, 1916. The youngest of seven children, he grew up on the family's irrigated farm in La Cienega. After finishing eighth grade in La Cienega's two-room schoolhouse, he lived with an uncle in Pena Blanca to attend high school, graduating in 1936 from Santa Fe High. He then earned a degree in agronomy and soils at New Mexico State University in 1940, and in 1950, a Master's Degree in rural sociology from Michigan State. He was a proud World War II veteran who served under General George Patton in the 11th Armored Division. He traveled through France and Belgium, ending up in Austria along the Danube River. After his discharge, he briefly returned to New Mexico as an assistant Extension Agent in Mora County. He married Consuelo "Connie" Martinez in 1946. Nazario worked for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for over 28 years. He set up agricultural extension services and youth programs in developing countries - Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Sudan, Africa. He ended his USDA career with a 10-year stint in Washington, DC, where he designed training and coordinated exchange programs, specializing in Latin America. In 1972, he and Consuelo retired to their home in Albuquerque, NM, to be near their three sons, Daniel, Robert and Nick, who were born in three different countries. Consuelo passed away in 1993. In July 1994, Nazario married Sabina (Griego) Boulton of Santa Fe, NM. They had originally met in 1937 through his sister, Melinda Gonzales of La Cienega, who was attending nurses training with Sabina at the time. Nazario and Sabina made their home in Bernalillo. Nazario was very active and involved with family, church and community. He was the Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics in 1999. Always remembering his own struggles to get through college, he established a charitable gift annuity with his alma mater, New Mexico State University, which provides support to Hispanic students studying agriculture or home economics. "I attribute my long life to activity" says Nazario. "Every day, I live like I'm going to live forever. I don't live from day to day. Every day you should do something that is good, that contributes to your life. You shouldn't let a day go by when you don't do something constructive, at least one thing." There are many stories that illustrate his perseverance, mental toughness, compassion, and powerful resilience. He lived a long, fulfilled life full of adventure and purpose. With Nazario's passing, we've lost another of America's greatest generation and a true gentleman. Nazario was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Tomas, Conrado, Albertano, Celina Lucero, Mary Ulibarri, and Melinda Gonzales; first wife, Consuelo; son, Daniel; and grandson, Nicholas. He is survived by his wife, Sabina; sons, Robert (Lesly) and Nick (Julie); grandson, Mike; step-children, Georgia Pearson (Ted), Ellen, John (Wrenn), Anita Dupree (Jon), Martha, Mary Kay, Rita Wolfe (Gary), Frances, and Mary Jo Carrion; 17 step-grandchildren and 30 step-great-grandchildren. Rosary will be recited Sunday, August 4, 2013, 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 301 S. Camino Del Pueblo, Bernalillo. Friends may visit beginning at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., also at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Nazario's name to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Bernalillo, or your favorite charity. O LORD JESUS CHRIST, you are the resurrection and the life. You have promised that whoever believes in you even if he dies will have life everlasting. May this sacred promise comfort us in our sadness, and bring the soul of your servant departed the fullness of the reward you have for us after death. O savior of the world, reassure us in our belief that death is not an end to life, but rather a change by which we enter a life of perfect joy in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400