Florentino R. Baca

Family graveside services for Florentino Baca, 89, of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Wed., Mar. 25, 2020 in the Portales Cemetery with Fr. Francisco Carbajal officiating.  Eric Baca, Gilbert Baca, Jonathan Baca, Michael Baca, Cory Baca, James Baca and Aron Baca will serve as pallbearers.  All other grandchildren will be honorary pallbearers.

Florentino Ruben Baca was born May 20, 1930, in Lovato, NM to the home of Anita (Urioste) and Julio Baca, and died at his home in Portales on the evening of Mar. 19, 2020.  Mr. Baca always liked working with the livestock and riding broncs as a young man.  He even competed in some rodeos.  Through the years he had worked on farms and ranches, and as a track layer for the railroad before going to work as a welder for A&M Construction.  He was always busy working at something.  On Jan. 4, 1950 in Villanueva, NM he was married to Emma Bustamante.  They moved to Portales in the early 1950's and reared their family here.  He was a wonderful father, who trained his family to be honest and work hard.  He was a faithful member of St. Helen Catholic Church.

Mr. Baca loved to garden, and always raised lots of vegetables.  He sold much of his produce in the Farmer's Market both in Portales, as well as in the surrounding area.  He and his wife were some of the only ones in the area who still made their own chili ristras.  For a number of years he assisted with the commodities distributions, and enjoyed his participation with Los Abuelitos.

Florentino liked to play pool and cards and dominos.  However, his passion was music.  For many years he had his own band, Los Tres Amigos, made up of himself, Joe Cordova and Dr. Candido Tafoya.  He also played a lot of music with Tino Montoya.  Mr. Baca loved dancing, and going to the Senior Dances.

He is survived by Emma, his wife of over 70 years; four sons, and three daughters-in-law, Bobby Baca, Steve and Arbie Baca, Phillip and Doris Baca and Eddie and Diane Baca all of Portales; and one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Dave Gonzales of Clovis; 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and another on the way and 4 great-great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Petra Villanueva and Linda Bustamante both of Villanueva, NM and Julia "Tillie" Gallegos and Josie Baca both of Los Lunas, NM.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents, 11 brothers and sisters, three sons, Rudy, Henry and Louie Baca and a daughter, Toni.

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