Jose Suazo

Jose Gilbert Suazo

October 19, 1933 – February 16, 2023

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Jose (Gil) fought a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

He lived a long, loving and successful life.  Jose was born and raised in Center, Co.  and worked hard all of his life, starting with driving a school bus and working in a grocery store while still in high school.  He still made time to play on the varsity basketball team.  He joined the Army after graduating from high school, studied satellite communications and served his country for 22 years. Shortly after joining the Army he married the love of his life, Angelina. His military career sent him to countries all over the world; the Philippines, Italy, Japan, Indochina, and Germany. He was a member of the US team that detected the very first satellite signal sent from space, transmitted from Sputnick 1. Jose was a Vietnam War Veteran and retired from the Army as a Master Sargent.  He embarked on his 2nd career at age 42 with Eberline Instrument Corp. where he was the assembly line supervisor for 20 years. When he finally retired he loved to go fishing, camping, hunting, gardening and tinkering in his workshop (he could repair anything).

He was a loving, devoted husband and was married to Angelina for 66 years.  Together they raised two wonderful children who grew up to have beautiful families of their own. He adored his grandchildren and would pick them up from school and take them to their various after school activities, always with a snack ready for them.  He could always be found in the stands watching all of his grandchildren’s sporting events, school events, and dance/singing recitals.

Jose was preceded in death by his parents Estrella and Fernando Suazo and his sisters and brother; Josephine, Hope, Rose, Ida and Salvador.

Jose is survived by his wife Angelina Suazo, daughter Pamela Rogers (Scott), son Fredrick Suazo (Maria), grandchildren: Gabriel Rogers, Amarissa Johnson (Ian), Miranda Suazo, Kierra Suazo and great grandson Leo Johnson.

He was deeply loved, admired and will be greatly missed for the special man that he was.

Funeral Services for Jose are a rosary at 6:00pm, Wednesday March 1, 2023 at Rivera Family Funeral Home, Funeral Mass at 11:00am Thursday March 2, 2023 at St. John’s Catholic Church. Interment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:00pm. Honoring the family as pallbearers are Gabriel Rogers, Ian Johnson, Mark Christopher, Paul Rogers, Curtis Rogers and David Miliotes. Honorary Pallbearers are Amarissa Johnson, Miranda Suazo, Kierra Suazo, Kelli Lopez and Leo Johnson.