Bennie Tapia

Bennie Tapia, age 95, a resident of Peralta, N.M., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 21, surrounded by his loving family.˜ He was a very active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta, until he lost his sight.˜ In 2008, Bennie was recognized for his services to the church by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, N.M.˜ One of his favorite past times was using his tractor to clean around the church and the cemetery.˜ He was a member of the Democratic Party and served as Valencia County Clerk.˜ Bennie worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and later as an iron worker for many years, where he fell from a 13 story building.˜ Then, he and his wife, Lydia opened a business in Peralta and he always said “for something to do”.˜ They owned and operated many buildings in Valencia County for many years.˜ Just before his illness you could drive by and he was always out there working on the tractor. ˜He was preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Felicitas Tapia; his beloved wife of 60 years, Lydia Aragon,Tapia ; sons, Steve and Bennie Ray; daughter, Viola; grandsons, Phillip and Gary; brother, Ofelio and Frank Tapia and his sister, Elena Sanchez.˜ Bennie is survived by his son, Eloy Tapia and wife, Rosemary; daughters, Connie Aragon and husband, Manuel, Eleanor Aragon and husband, Buddy and Dollie Trujillo; his loving brother-in-law, Joe Aragon; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren and three great-great-great grandchildren.˜ The family would like to thank the many family and friends that were there for them always and for their support. ˜They would also like to give a special thank you to Ambercare Hospice, nurse, Amy, healthaid, Rachael and special healthaid, Yvonne.˜ ˜All services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, beginning with a viewing at 8:30 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 25, with a rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m. and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.˜ Interment will follow at the Valencia Catholic Cemetery.˜ Pallbearers will be Leroy Aragon, Lloyd Tapia, Ernie Trujillo, Ricky Tapia, Victor Aragon and Ray Aragon.˜ ˜Sign Bennie’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com.

Bennie Tapia

October 21, 2010