JOSE GILBERTO ATENCIO Dec. 1, 1945 – Feb. 26, 2024

Jose Gilberto Atencio, age 79, of Española, New Mexico, passed away February 26, 2024, in Española following a long and courageous struggle against debilitating health issues.

Gilbert was born in Española on December 1, 1945, to Marcial and Frances Atencio. He attended school in El Rito and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Viet Nam War era.

He worked as an electrician/lineman and eventually started his own company, G-JACo Electric. Gilbert was a generous person who helped his friends and neighbors often and frequently volunteered his time and skills to Habitat for Humanity. He was a clever problem solver, demonstrated when he invented and patented an electric fish-tape puller to make it easier to pull electrical wire through pipe for long distances underground.

After Gilbert’s father died when he was young, he lived with an aunt and uncle, Lola and Ismael Salazar. His large extended family raised cattle and Gilbert spent his most precious hours in the mountains around their land in Youngsville riding horses and tending the cattle.

Gilbert is survived by his children Randal Atencio, Tamara (Atencio) Adams, and Aaron Atencio, and siblings Rose Martinez, Labriana “Lorraine” and Dub Baker, Bernedetta Montoya, Juan and Michelle Atencio, and Clara Maestas.

He was preceded in death by his sister Vincenta Rivera and brothers Robert Atencio and Marcial Atencio.

Mass and rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday March 12, at Holy Cross Church, 126 S. McCurdy Road, Santa Cruz, NM 87567.

Please visit www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com to post pictures, stories, and comments for the family.

Jose Gilberto Atencio Dec. 1, 1945 – Feb. 26, 2024. Courtesy photo