Jose Alonzo Gallegos

˜Jose Alonzo Gallegos, peacefully passed away in his sleep in the early morning on April 4, 2011. Joe knew everyone in town. There was not a person he would let pass by without saying "Hello". He would rise early in the morning to read the paper as he wanted to be up to date on world events. He would then check in with his sister in law, Carol (his brother Manuel and Carol were caretakers to Joe) to discuss the news of the day and to let her know he was alright and what his plans were for that day. He would always ask what their plans were for the day and would check in several times a day. He would going to the post office to check his mail and talk to everyone there, then going on to McDonalds to talk with the fellow coffee drinkers and discuss the latest local and national news. He would then make his way to see his daughter Joyce and grandchildren, sometimes taking them a treat to eat. He would check in with his other brothers sometime during the day. He would regularly call his sister Ruby to tell her "God Bless You" and to see how her children and grandchildren were doing. Some days of the week he would stop by the grocery stores to see if they were discarding any food that he would then load in his car and take to the people that had little food. He was always concerned about the homeless, the working poor and the condition of prisoners. If you gave him two shirts or another article of clothing, he would keep one for himself and give the other away to someone he felt needed it more than he did. He would give away his groceries and was also known as "Dollar Joe", because whenever someone would ask himfor money, he could not refuse them, he always had a dollar or more to share. He would borrow money from people, pay it back and borrow it again just to see if they would help others. He would ride his bike through town stopping to talk to everyone or go in his car with the radio blasting, honking his horn and waving to everyone or sharing the peace sign with them. Joe respected the American flag and was proud to be a Vietnam Veteran and worried often of the plight of fellow veterans. If a stray cat or dog came near his house he would feed them saying they were creatures of God. Henever wanted anyone's feeling to be hurt. Joe was a very caring and loving person. That was the Joe we knew. He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Juan and Perfilia Gallegos of Vallecitos; his mother and stepfather, Palmiria and Juan Romero of Belen; his brother, Raymond Romero from Belen and his sister Clara Torres of Magdalena.Joe is survived by his daughter, Joyce Gallegos of Belen; his brother and his sister-in-law, Manuel and Carol Romero of Belen; his sister and brother- in-law, Ruby and Adam Salas of Bosque; his brother and sister in law, Juan and Carmen Romero of Belen, his brother, Leroy Romero of Belen, he is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Johnny and Rosie Gallegos of EI Rito, Joe and Denise Gallegos of Vallecitos, Valentin and Joella Gallegos of Taos; his brother, Andres Gallegos from Espanola; his sisters and brothers-in law, Amelia and Isac Giron of La Madera, Valvinia and Ben Martinez ofSanta Fe, Marcella and Orlando Martinez of Vallecitos, Augustina and Henry Griego of La Madera, and sisters, Belinda Dominquez of Albuquerque, Brenda Gallegos of La Madera, and Delfinia Gallegos from Espanola. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Vanessa Mascarenas, Asaiah Sullivan, and Dionella Sullivan all of Belen. Joe is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. A Viewing will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, on Thursday, April 7, at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. A final visitation will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, on Friday, April 8, at 11:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers will be Matthew Romero, Larry Otero, Johnny Gonzales, Damion Sullivan, Juan Romero, Brenda Gallegos, Belinda Dominguez, Marcella Martinez, Greg TenEyck, Joaquin Martinez, Dale Silva, Dickie Montoya and Alfred Lovato.

Jose Alonzo Gallegos

April 6, 2011