Fred Espinosa, age 90, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. He was born in Yellowstone Township, North Dakota, to Pete and Delphina (Duran) Espinosa, and raised in Montana.
Fred served with the United States Army 7th Infantry Division as a Corporal and was based at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He also served in the Army National Guard after active duty. Before deploying to Korea, he met the love of his life, Maria Vita (Rodriguez) Espinosa, while visiting family in Las Cruces. They were married not long after, in February 1952, and enjoyed 57 years together. Maria preceded him in death on July 7, 2009.
Fred was a long-time Building Trades Journeyman Plumber and Pipefitter and member of the New Mexico Pipefitters Union (UA Local 412) before retiring in 1992. He was an accomplished builder, and built or renovated every home his wife and children lived in. He oftentimes would drop everything to help a friend or relative in need of his expertise. He was a skilled pool player and enjoyed shooting pool with his friends. He loved watching classic western movies, even though he'd seen them dozens of times, and working on Crossword, Sudoku, and Missing Vowels puzzles.
He was a devout Catholic and parishioner at Our Lady of Health Catholic Church and loved serving his community through work with the church.
Fred is survived by two daughters, Veronica (Ray) Moya and Grace Espinosa; one son, Frederick Espinosa; grandchildren, Joseph (Elsie) Espinosa, Roberto (Noelle) Espinosa, Marissa Rodriguez, Katrina (Sean) Birdwell, Adriana (Taylor) Moya-Axtell, Adrian Espinosa, and Alexandra Espinosa; eleven great-grandchildren, Samantha (Zachary) Espinosa-Davis, Joseph Espinosa, Diego Espinosa, Isabella Espinosa, Catalina Espinosa, Adriana Rodriguez, Leilani Dominguez, Noah Dominguez, Evan Birdwell, Aimee Axtell, and Emery Axtell. Fred is also survived by four brothers, Eddie (Pat) Espinosa, Pete (Sue) Espinosa, Jr., Bob Espinosa, and Richard Espinosa; and one sister, Cynthia Huber.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Anna Marie (Gordon) Petrie; brothers Jim Espinosa and Pete Cordova; and sisters Consuelo (Connie) Espinosa, Lucille Kaminski, Nicha Cordova, and Pauline Sewell.
At Fred's request, a private service took place on September 2, 2021, with only family in attendance. Fr. Valentine Jankowski, O.F.M., Conv. of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tortugas, conducted the funeral service. His grandchildren served as pallbearers.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Srirengam Muralidhasan, MD, and Mesilla Valley Hospice for the care and support they provided during Fred's illness.
Service Details.
Visitation
When
Thursday, September 2, 2021 9:00am - 10:00am
Location
Getz Funeral Home Chapel
Address
1410 E. Bowman Ave
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001
Service Location
Getz Funeral Home Chapel
Address
1410 E. Bowman Ave
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001
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