Benjamin Stephen Espinoza

Ben Espinoza, 68, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, following what could be described as “a long journey in a short amount of time” due to complications from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Throughout his life, Ben was known as Benjamin, Benjie, Stephen, and Stevie — but more importantly, he was known by all who met him as a kindhearted, carefree jokester who had a nickname for everyone. Beneath his humor and easygoing nature, Ben was a deeply loving and loyal husband, dad, and friend.

Ben was born in Embudo, New Mexico, and grew up in Taos. Through his grandfather’s wrecking and towing business, he was introduced early on to the world of tinkering and working on all kinds of machinery and mechanical components — a passion that would follow him throughout his life.

He moved to Las Cruces at a young age and later started his own company, Precision Refrigeration. He loved helping people with their heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and refrigeration needs throughout Southern New Mexico. He was especially proud of his refrigeration work at the chile and pecan processing plants in the Hatch and Mesilla Valleys. In later years, many customers recognized him just as much by the black standard poodle, Louis, who faithfully accompanied him to his jobsites.

If Ben wasn’t up on a roof fine-tuning mechanical work or in a hole he had dug to fix an irrigation leak, you could find him working on one of his classic cars. After his brother Martin’s passing, Ben devoted much of his time to completing a project Martin had started — restoring a COE truck. No matter what he was working on, it was always evident how much tinkering he had done that day by the grease and dirt he wore proudly on his hands and clothing. He continued these projects into his final months, always with Louis at his side — until Louis’ passing in October 2025.

Ben was never known to tell someone “no” when they called for help or needed advice on how to fix something. Oftentimes, he would patiently walk someone through repairing their air conditioner over the phone, even during his own time of rest.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jose Abel Espinoza; his grandparents, Abel and Margaret Espinoza and Fred and Socorro Romero; and his little brother, Martin “Coco” Espinoza.

Ben is survived by his mother, Marjorie Saul; his wife, Kathy; his daughter, Lauren; his brother, Michael; and his sister, Elizabeth. He also leaves behind many cherished friends, including Gaby, Gilbert A., Gilbert C., and Vern; as well as many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved family dogs: Mildew, Big Larry, Baxter, Hazel, Eibbu, Luigi, and KW.

Ben’s family finds comfort in knowing he has been reunited with his two favorite companions — his little brother, Martin, and his best friend, Louis, the black poodle.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Umberto Garcia of Las Cruces; Dr. Charlie Foucar at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center; Drs. McGuire, Garcia, and Cordova at UNM Hospital; and the entire nursing staff of the UNM Hospital Oncology Unit for their compassionate care.

Services for Ben will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood at your local blood bank or registering with the National Marrow Donor Program (www.nmdp.org) to support those facing rare blood cancers.