Antonio Eduardo Eddie"" C' deBaca

Antonio Eduardo C��?�de Baca Died on May 9, 2012 after a short illness. He was the beloved husband of Helene (Ortiz) for 42 years, the devoted father to Jennifer and Daniel, the cherished grandfather to Layne and Alexis. He was also loved and survived by his sisters Evangeline Madrid and Elizabeth Mares, brother Ron Cox, Aunt Amelia Andrews (Bill), parents in law, Joe and Margaret Ortiz, brothers in law, Carlos Madrid, Joseph Ortiz, sisters in law, Zelinda Ortiz, Eileen Cox, son in law, Darryl Strosberg, daughter in law, Katherine Whaler, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was born on June 2, 1946 and raised in Bernalillo by his parents Eduardo and Josephine C��?�de Baca. He attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School from kindergarten through 12 grades, graduating in 1963. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and received a BS degree from the University of La Verne in Business and Economics and Masters in Public Administration from San Jose State University. He was a Professional Member of the International Code Council (ICC), Member and Past National Chairman of the Administrative Code Development Committee of ICBO, Charter Member of the International Fire Code Institute, Member of the Board of Directors of the California Building Officials, Member of the Board of Directors of the California Training Academy, Member and Past President of both the Orange Empire & East Bay Chapters of the International Conference of Building Officials. As an active member of his Catholic Church parishes in California, he volunteered as chairman of various committees, built the Christmas manger for his parish, organized the parish festivals, was a church usher, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. As a leader in the field of building, fire and safety code compliance, construction defect investigation, planning, zoning, land use provisions, engineering, and inspection services, Americans with Disabilities access regulations, he was the Chief Building Official for the cities of San Ramon and Orange CA., the Assistant Development Services Director for the city of Costa Mesa CA, Director of Special Projects for the City of Blythe, representative of the California State Energy Commission, provided contract services to the cities of Colton, Blythe, and Vernon, Ca through his consulting business in plan review and inspection services. After retiring from his work in California, he recently moved back full time to New Mexico to work in his hometown for the Town of Bernalillo as the Infrastructure Administrator. He believed that his 35 years experience in city government would be of benefit to the town where he grew up. He and his wife Helene owned a home in Jemez Springs for the past 23 years, where he spent many years beautifying the property and remodeling their home. He helped build the Jemez Springs Performing Arts Center Stage and was instrumental in helping to organize music festivals in the Village, including the first Jemez Springs Music Festival in 2009. He was a Boy Scout troop leader, mentor, and "second father to many of the boys in his troop, advising and helping them all with their Eagle Scout projects. He was also "chief of the Indian Guides, a father and son Y- program developed to support the father's vital family role as teacher, counsellor and friend to his son and teaching the values of dignity, patience, endurance, spirituality, feeling for the earth and concern for the family. He led the Guides on many fishing, camping, and adventure trips, teaching them survival skills, how to fish, shoot, use a bow and arrow, tie knots and endless other skills. He was a master of many trades, building, design, plumbing, electrical work, welding, landscaping. There wasn��?�t a job he wouldn��?�t tackle, giving his all to whoever called upon him to help. He loved working with his Kabota tractor and power tools. There probably isn��?�t a power tool he didn��?�t own. He built frames for Helene��?�s art work, tree houses and forts for his children, doll houses, toys, and furniture, and was looking forward to building them for his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, shooting, watching old western movies and reading his "Old West, "Guns & Amo, and "Handyman magazines. He loved living in the magnificent setting of the Jemez, along the river, which was conducive to peace and rest. But he seldom rested during his lifetime, always working on some project. He is at rest now. He was generous, humble, thoughtful, a good man, and greatly loved. Many of his friends considered him their "best friend. Tony will be grieved and missed by all who knew him. Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920