Patrick Raymond Herrera,67, was born March 17th, 1951 in Espanola, NM, and went to be with our Lord on June 25th, 2018. He lived his life to the complete fullest. He served in Vietnam as a Corporal with The United States Marine Corps. 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He received a National Defense Service Medal, Expert Badge for The M-14 rifle, an a Good Conduct Medal. He then served with The United States Coast Guard. He also worked for the Los Alamos National laboratory as an Electrician Tech for 14 years. He also worked for the Los Alamos Fire Department where he was a Captain. He then retired and decided he wanted to go back to work and started with The State Of New Mexico Department Of Transportation as a Heavy Equipment Operator and retired. He was a racehorse owner and trainer. He loved to work on cars, go fishing, hunting and spending time with family. He had a big heart and was always there if you needed him.
He is preceded in death by his father Pedro Herrera, mother Celia Herrera; grandfather Rubel Herrera and nephew Eugene Alire. He is survived by his daughters Sandra Gruca, Stephanie Martinez, Selena and Benny Mario Maestas, Patricia Herrera, and step-daughter Alisha Sarracino. Siblings Nicolas Herrera, Pete ana Ramona Herrera, Ruben and Emalia Herrera, Karen and Polo Pacheco, and Mae and Profirio Alire; 9 grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and many loving friends.
Serving the family as Pallbearers: Nicholas Herrera, Ruben Herrera, Pete Herrera, Adam Alire, Aaron Martinez, Urban Herrera, and Benny Mario Maestas. Honorary Pallbearers: Dalton, Adelina, and Dominic Gruca, Christopher Martinez, Santiago Martinez, Tyson Rougemont, Xavier Valencia, Aziriah Martinez and Ayriss Maestas.
Public visitations will begin on Monday July 2nd at 4:30pm at Rivera Family Funeral Home. A Rosary will be prayed at 6pm. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday July 3rd, 2018, 9:00am in El Rito, NM at San Juan Nepomuceno Parish. A reception will follow immediately after mass. The burial will take place on Tuesday July 3rd, 2018, at 2:15pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
The Herrera Family has entrusted the care of their loved one to the Rivera Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Espanola, NM.