Jose Anaya

Jose Dolores Anaya, known to many as Joe D. Anaya, our patriarch, age 96 passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 12, 2021. His legacy includes his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was born in Galisteo, NM. He experienced many hardships in his youth and was unable to complete school but became a sheepherder at a very young age to help support his siblings.  

At the age of 18, he joined the Naval Air Force and fought during World War II. On his way to reenlist for a second term, he decided to turn back to ask the love of his life, Rosina, to marry him. They married in 1946 and began their family. They moved from Santa Fe to Gallup and back to Santa Fe.  He worked many places as a mechanic until he opened his own business, “Anaya’s Front End Alignment Shop”.   He retired in 1994. Joe and Rosina were married for 67 years as she passed just shy of their 68th wedding anniversary.

Joe was well known at the golf courses for his amazing talent and played golf up until the age of 94. Another one of his great talents was playing the saxophone. Up until the age of 94, he continued to play his saxophone at church, and for the “old” people (as he would say) at the nursing home. Not only was Joe D. Anaya a rock for his children he continued with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He started his day with a bowl of oatmeal then later switched to cream of wheat.  His staples were beans, green chile, and tortillas.  In his later years, he became quite the shopper as he loved Savers, always looking for something for himself or his carrito.  His other favorite shopping places included Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.  He was also quite the gambler never spending more than $5 a visit. 

Our Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa was and always will be an inspiration to us all!  He saw many changes in his lifetime from 1925 to the present.  He always said to work hard and never to expect anything to be handed to you.  Always work hard and never give up…Atta Boy!

This past spring, summer, and fall, he kept many of us busy with his projects in his yard or shed, which included his apricot tree, the floor in his shed, the shelf for his saints in his shed, just to name a few. There is nothing he couldn't fix with duct tape, wire, and screws. We took him on drives during which he would give you a historic breakdown of wherever you were at.  He truly was a walking book of knowledge.  For the most part, he had a very good sense of humor.

Joe was a member of La Sociedad de San Antonio, and an active and devoted member of La Sociedad de San José.  He attended meetings faithfully and even zoomed for a meeting during Covid.  He prayed for his entire family both immediate and extended.  He prayed for all. If he called you it was no more than a 20-second call to let you know that he was praying for you and your family.  You were lucky if it turned into a 30-second call.  He was known for giving La Bendicion to anyone who was traveling anywhere.  He prayed over his medication, and every morning as soon as he got up he prayed to his saints and God.  We referred to him as “Our Little Deacon”.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosina Anaya; son, Joe Gilbert Anaya; daughter, Veronica Francisco; and grandson, Davilay Wells.  He is survived by his daughter, Bernadette Wells (Davilay Wells); Grandchildren:  Joe Gilbert Anaya, Jessica Baker (Rick Baker), Alicia Anaya, Mark Francisco (Haruko Francisco), Brandi Stone (Allan Stone), Mateo Wells, Esperanza Wells, and Nicole Wells. Great-grandchildren:  Lawrence Ortiz, Lianna Ortiz, Mikayla Anaya, Keizo Francisico Felicity Gonzales, Deangelo Gonzales, Jeramiah Gonzales, Alonzo Stone, and Ajani Stone.  He is also survived by three sisters Josie Valich, Pauline Tapia, and Toni Tabor, and generations of hijados, hijadas, sobrinos, y sobrinas.

We will forever miss our “Little Deacon”.  We will never forget his words of advice, his hard work, encouragement, and most of all his courage.

Please join us in celebrating his life on January 14, 2022.  Services will be as follows:  Rosary at 10:00 am and Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church located on 1301 Osage Ave, Santa Fe, NM. The burial will be at 12:45 pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.  You are invited to join us for a meal following the burial service at the Galisteo Community Center located in Galisteo, NM, at 35 Avenida Vieja, 87540.