Zachary Mascarenas

Zachary Mascarenas, (VVZ) 19, born on September 12, 2001, a resident of Peñasco, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 29, 2020. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Alvin Mascarenas, great grandmother, Lucille Mascarenas, great grandmother, Adiana Pacheco, great grandparents, Rueben and Ruth Salazar and Lorenzo and Elizaria Trujillo.

He is survived by his parents, Nathan and Staci Mascarenas of Penasco, brother Justin and his sister, Marissa, and his very special niece Aurora; grandparents Robert and Elsie Salazar of Velarde; grandparents, Arnold and Annette Mascarenas of Albuquerque; great grandfather Candido Mascarenas; aunts, Melissa (Danny) Martinez, Vanessa (Julian) Mascarenas; uncles, Matthew (Rochelle) Mascarenas, Anthony Mascarenas, Roberto Salazar, and so many cousins and close friends.  

Zach was such an amazing son, brother and uncle. He had the deepest love of all for his parents and for his brother Justin, his sister Marissa and his late brother Alvin.  He would encourage them and always hoped and prayed for the best for them. He adored is niece Aurora “Aurora Befora” who brought love and happiness to him on a daily basis. Aurora left him with a memory by singing “You Are My Sunshine” to him in a video she sent him before he left this world.

All who knew him felt the love and his genuine heart he had for all his friends, family and most importantly God. Zach appreciated his life and family so much.  Zach once said, “Waking up is the greatest gift of all, some don’t wake.” We strongly believe that he handled everything good or bad that came his way, he was strong like that. He believed that “God gives you situations that you can handle, but doesn’t mean it’s gonna be easy.”

By his many friends he was known as an outgoing, funny, and kindhearted person with no filter.  You always knew where you stood with Zach, he would be straight up and honest with what he thought.  Zach had a long life ahead of him with so many opportunities to succeed in anything he set his mind out to do. Not many knew what a genius Zach was and his ability to excel in school as a stellar student athlete, advancing a grade and focusing on hard college courses while still in high school; this was a part of his greatness. Zach was determined to do good in life and continue to make his family proud of him. Zach was an employee of LANL where he currently had a student internship with Radiation Protection Programs.

Zach was known by all for his talent and love for basketball. An amazing hooper who had the ability to bring so much energy to the game! He always had the crowd cheering him on with his insane skills! His father Nathan was his biggest fan. Since he was little his dad worked with him and encouraged him every day because he knew Zach had a talent for the game. 

Zach touched the lives of many growing up with his kind heart and his amazing smile. He made many friends along the way in his journey through elementary living in Penasco and attending school in Mountain View, Pojoaque, Espanola and toward the end of his high school journey he had the opportunity to transfer to Cibola High School.  Zach had to adjust to a new school, living environment and all the changes that came his way and he did so with patience and happiness with no regret. He loved living in Albuquerque amongst his Mascarenas family and friends who loved and supported him every step of the way. Cibola students and faculty accepted him with open arms and he made so many friends.  While at Cibola he waited patiently to play by supporting and practicing with his team which he was so very proud to be a part of! He worked hard and practiced with his Cibola basketball family until he was eligible to play the game and when he did, he sure wowed his family, team players and fans with his killer skills and energy.

He never lost touch with those he grew up with and was always was a true friend. He was very proud of his teammates all through his years in basketball and encouraged his team to always do their best. Throughout his youth, Zach played on many traveling teams and loved the experience with his friends/teammates by his side. Among all his talents Zach found a true talent in music.  He wrote lyrics and expressed them out in song which he absolutely loved, even creating a couple of albums with his friends!

Though we are hurting and missing Zach tremendously, we know that God had a different plan taking him so young. We know he is in heaven with his brother Alvin in a better place.  Serving as pallbearers are Christian Fernandez, Isaiah Padilla, Steven Barela, Rico Wagatsuma, Josiah Herrera, Arden Garcia, and Jared Torrez. 

The Mascarenas family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Rivera Family Funeral Home.

A viewing will be held at Victory Faith of Espanola on Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 5-8 p.m.

Services will held at St. Anthony's of Penasco , December 11th at Victory Faith beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow in Velarde.