Porfirio Archuleta

Porfirio Archuleta 92, resident of La Centinela in Chimayó, peacefully went to be with the Lord on December 1st, 2022, with his soulmate of 28 years, Orlinda Martinez Archuleta, by his side.

Porfirio is preceded in death by his parents, Juan Pedro Archuleta and Rebecca Salazar, brothers Ernesto Archuleta and Jerry Archuleta, sisters Trinidad Vigil (Felix) and Olivama Archuleta, mother of his children Margaret Archuleta and three infant daughters, sisters-in-law Helen Archuleta and Geri Trujillo, brothers-in-law Gilbert Montoya, Elizario Martinez and Felix Vigil, and mother-in-law Evangelia Martinez.

He is survived by his wife Orlinda Martinez Archuleta, daughters Vivian Valdez, Pauline Traina (Chris), Frances Archuleta, sons Mark Archuleta (Maria) and Victor Archuleta (Steven), sisters Lugarda Montoya and Elvira Martinez, brothers Videlio Archuleta and Leo Archuleta (Gloria), sisters-in-law Genoveva Archuleta, Dora Vigil (Arthur), Jessie Martinez, Fabie Valdez (Lipio), and Benita Martinez, brothers-in-law Joe N. Trujillo and Flavio Martinez (Lydia), 10 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many friends. 

Porfirio was born on November 14th, 1930 in his family home in Chimayó and was the oldest of nine children. He often took on the role of ‘man of the house’ while his father was away working in the mines in Durango, CO. Known to many as ‘Porf’ and even ‘Porfy’, Porfirio graduated in 1951 from Santa Cruz High School, where he was a stand-out basketball player for the Crusaders. He joined the Navy in 1951, where he served as a Seaman on the USS Cacapon during the Korean War. Porf then returned to Chimayó to build his home and raise his family and begin working as a meter reader in Los Alamos under the Zia company. Eventually he worked for the Los Alamos County in the Utilities department, where he retired as a Customer Service Manager after more than 35 years of service.

Porfirio spent the best and last years of his life with his beloved wife, Orlinda. They were devoted members of the Holy Family Parish in Chimayó where he had served as an acolyte and was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Sagrada Corazon. In the 60’s he played the role of ‘el diablo’ in the annual Los Pastores event at Christmastime, and in the 70’s he participated in the annual Oñate Fiestas Parade as a member of the Caballeros de Oñate.

Porfirio loved working the land, tending to the apple orchard that he planted in the ‘70’s with his sons, and fishing and hunting in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Porfirio learned many skills while building his home and became a jack-of-all-trades and, as a result, he was often called upon by his neighbors in the community to help fix things. He and Orlinda traveled to the holy land and other parts of Europe and the world and took road trips to visit his children in California. Porfirio’s charm, humorous wit, and handsome smile will be missed by many.

Feel free to post your condolences or memories for the family. Rosary will be held at Holy Family Parish in Chimayo on December 09, 2022 at 1pm, Mass of the Resurrection to follow at 2pm. Interment December 12, 2022 at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30pm.

Because of the current viral outbreaks there will not be a reception and the family requests that a mask be worn for the services.