Rosendo Tapia

                                                 Jose Rosendo Santiago Tapia

                                            July 25, 1939 – February 2, 2023

Rosendo Tapia, 83, left this world on February 2, 2023 in the arms of his true love of 60 years and surrounded by his children.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Rosendo and Julia Tapia, parents in law; Reymundo and Vicenta Padilla, his brothers; Ramon, Sam and Leonard Tapia, son in law; Luis Lugo and several brothers and sisters in law.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, natural and adopted, Fidelia Tapia (Carl), Consuelo Lugo, Rosendo Sanchez Tapia (Lawrence), Laurisa Stafford (Archie), Cheryl Scott; Grandchildren, natural and adopted, Tanya Jeantete (whom he raised) (Chris), Amanda Mena (Andrew), Krystal Soliz (Mike), Maria Lugo (Jerry), Carmela Westerfeld (Trevor), LJ Lugo (Louise), Christopher Yowell (Becca), Sherissa Silva, Sapphire Yowell, Raven, Reece, and Royrie Scott; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Jacob, Christopher J., Esequel, Reyes, Hakeem, Todd, Krystal, Adam and Christopher Y.

Also survived by his siblings; Isabel Lovato, Estella Lovato, Carla Tapia, Julia Ortiz (Benny), Daniel Tapia (Patsy); in-laws Natividad Padilla, Gavina Valencia (Robert), Evangelina Martinez, Odilea Tapia, many nieces and nephews and special family friends who shared in their daily lives; Sadie and Toni Gonsalez Sanchez and Lena Sanchez.

Rosendo worked in many trades throughout his life; from picking vegetables in the fields in Colorado at the age of 13, working the railroad in the northwestern United States at the age of 15, and several other jobs until retiring from the Santa Fe Public Schools where he was known for always being great with the students and being helpful to the staff.  After retirement he and Mary lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they enjoyed the casino and bingo.

He always missed the clear New Mexico skies and mountains.  In 2016, they returned to New Mexico where he enjoyed spending time and playing with his great-grandchildren, whom he loved greatly.

Because there are many adventures he shared with family and friends he will never be forgotten.  He can never be replaced in the hearts of those who knew him.