Bennie Montoya

Rodulfo “Bennie” Montoya, 101, went home to be with the Lord on March 11, 2023.  Bennie was born on August 20, 1921, in Santa Fe, to Jose and Isabelita Montoya.  He was a lifelong resident of the Village of Agua Fria in Santa Fe.  He proudly served in the United States Army between 1943 and 1945, during World War II, and was a POW in Germany.  He was awarded various medals and honors including a Purple Heart. 

On November 28, 1945, Bennie married his beloved wife, Mary Velarde and they had 4 children; 3 sons and 1 daughter.  Bennie worked for Santa Fe National/First Interstate Bank as a custodian for 28 years before retiring.

Bennie was a handyman.  He did carpentry and woodworking which included making small pieces of furniture, holy families, toys for the kids and other items that he gave as gifts.  Bennie liked spending time with family and friends and going camping and fishing in his younger days.  He also loved going to the casino.

Bennie was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Isabelita Montoya, his wife, Mary Montoya, grandson Tommy Montoya, son-in-law Richard Lopez, daughter-in-law Patricia Montoya, brothers Jose Manuel, Lee, Tony, and Herman Montoya, sister Rita Romero, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Manuel and Rumaldita Velarde, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his daughter, Cathy Lopez, sons Gilbert Montoya (wife, Grace), Danny Montoya (Lloyda), and Louie Montoya; grandchildren, Victoria Lucero (husband, James), Vincent and Christopher Lopez, Joseph Montoya, Andrew Montoya (wife, Jennifer) and Louie Montoya Jr.  He is also survived by great-grandchildren Joanna, Josie, Xavier and Avina Montoya, sister-in-law Rita Lopez and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Bennie was a perfect role model in every sense.  He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much and was very proud of them all.  He taught them to be respectful and kind and caring to others and to have faith in and devotion to God.  He was always there for his family and was very generous with all.  His family is very thankful for the blessings God bestowed upon them by granting Bennie many years of life.  They will cherish the memories of him forever.

A rosary will be recited on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at Rivera Family Funeral’s Kiva Chapel (417 East Rodeo Road).  A funeral mass will be held at San Isidro Catholic Church (new building), on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. and a burial service with full Military Honors will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.  Serving as pallbearers are Vincent and Christopher Lopez, Joseph and Andrew Montoya, Louie Montoya Jr., and James Lucero.