Rosinaldo (Ross) M. Trujillo

Rosinaldo Ross Trujillo, 92, a resident of Cuarteles, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2011, after living a fruitful and productive life. He was preceded in death by his wife Tillie; parents Isidoro Trujillo and Francisquita Ortega de Trujillo; brothers: Antonio Maximo and Jake; sisters: Fedelina and Mercedes Trujillo, and Teresita Jaramillo of Chimayo, New Mexico; and grandson Daniel Lee Payne of Lafayette, Indiana. Ross is survived by his daughters, Carmen E. (aka Betty) Payne of Santa Cruz, and Shirley Louise, and son-in-law, Gilbert Madrid of Port St. Lucie, Florida; grandchildren: Paula Velten and husband Wade of Springfield, Illinois, Gil Madrid, Jr. and wife Laura of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ken Madrid of Plantation, Florida; great grandchildren: Danielle Mullendore, Lauren Velten, Isabella and Gil Dempsy Madrid, and Jack Ross and Jayce Madrid, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Ross was born in 1918 on the Centinela Ranch, just west of Rio Chiquito, New Mexico. In 1938, Ross married the love of his life, Tillie, daughter of Ramon and Guadalupita Quintana of Sombrillo. In 1948, Ross and Tillie built their Cuarteles residence evenings and weekends and there they raised their daughters along with a bevy of farm animals and home grown vegetables. Ross and Tillies marriage lasted 68 years, sadly ending with the untimely death of Tillie in January 2006. They were devoted to each other and their marriage was a testimony to the true meaning of marital vows. He was a devoted family man, much loved and admired by his family and friends. During the 2nd World War, Ross helped the war effort by working as a miner in Madrid, New Mexico. Following the war, he worked for Closson & Closson in Santa Fe; then moved back to the Espanola Valley and worked for the Bond and Willard Company from 1951 to 1960. In 1960, he started working for Frank Willard, Jr. establishing the gasoline and oil product distribution and delivery system in northern New Mexico for the Exxon Corporation. Ross also served his community as the mayordomo of the Fresquez Ditch in Cuarteles for 15 years. Ross, known to his close friends as Bigfoot, had an extraordinary memory and would recount fascinating stories from his growing-up years that held his listeners in rapt attention. Up until Ross approached 80, he enjoyed going up to the mountains on horseback to camp out and tend to his grazing cattle. He had many happy memories and photographs of those trips that he loved to share with everyone he met. Ross never knew a stranger, and all who came to know him will remember his quick sense of humor, his generosity and compassion, humility, and his kind and gentle spirit. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. May God bless him and may he rest in peaceful slumber awaiting the resurrection at the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as foretold in the Holy Scriptures in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4. Viewing and service were held at the Rivera Family Funeral Home in Espanola on January 30, 2011. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at La Iglesia De Santa Cruz De La Canada, January 31, 2011.Pallbearers were Ken and Gil Madrid, Jr., Aniver Roybal, Jr., Adam Martinez, Ronnie Lopez, and John M. Salazar. Honorary Pallbearers are Joe and Geraldine Trujillo and Judy and Jose Bulnes. Interment will follow at the Holy Cross cemetery immediately following the mass.