Antonio Posa

ANTONIO POSA, 88 passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at his Rio Rancho, NM home.

Antonio was born December 17, 1933 and raised in the small town of Ejea de Los Caballeros in Zaragoza, Spain.   After serving in the Spanish military, he was a professional wrestler from 1957 to 1976.  He is most famously known for taking the National Wrestling Alliance World Championship on April 27, 1962 in Mexico City, where he defeated Rene Guajardo.  Antonio met his wife Carmen Lujan in May of 1962 while she was on vacation, and the two were married 3 months later on August 17th, and have enjoyed 59 years of marriage.

During his career he wrestled internationally in Africa, Germany, England, Italy, France and later traveled to the Americas where Antonio and Carmen purchased and continued operating El Merendero (Posa’s) the Tamale producing company which is still run by their children today.

He enjoyed rising early and going to the gym every day.  He valued hard work and believed in building strong honest relationships.  Those that knew him best would describe him as proud, gracious, considerate, kind, loving and a quiet man of few words.

Antonio was preceded in death by his Parents, Bernardo and Juana Posa; Brother and sister-in-law Santiago Posa and his wife Carmen Losano; In-Laws, Jose and Aurora Lujan; Brothers-in-law, Tony Bishop and  Augustine Viñao; and nephew Luis Miguel Posa.

He is survived by his loving wife Carmen; children, Jeff, Johanna Pacheco (Stephen), Antonio, and Javier (Debbie); grandchildren, Von (Jennica), Havana (Seth), Nevada, Austin, Paige, Dillon, Ethan, Mason, Kendall and 1 great grandchild Thaxton.

 Also surviving are his sister, Pilar Posa of Ejea, and numerous cuñados, cuñadas, hijados, hijadas, sobrinos, sobrinas y empleados.  Please join us in celebrating his life.,

A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Rivera Family Kiva Chapel, 417 E Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Cristo Rey Catholic Church. 1120 Canyon Road, Santa Fe.  A private burial will take place at a later date.