Harold Ortega

Harold Ortega, 78, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, entered into eternal rest Thursday, November 28, 2024, following an unexpected illness.

Harold was born August 18, 1946, in Chimayo, NM.

Upon graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1965, Harold began his career in construction for a brief time in California and returned to New Mexico where he worked for several years in the manufacturing industry with Singer, Motorola, and Thomas and Betts. He was a hard-working, dependable employee and his dedication and hard work ethic was evident by all. After he retired, he began managing the properties in Chimayo, New Mexico.

Harold loved life and his family. He found great joy when he visited his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Gilbert, Arizona. He adored spending time with each one of them. He was so excited when any one of them came to visit him in Albuquerque and always wanted to share his joy of Chimayo. When he was in New Mexico he sought out time to visit his brothers, sister, nieces, and nephews. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and check in to see how everyone was doing. He was a loving, kind, and generous man, with a heart of gold and always placing the needs of others before his own.

Harold was strong in his faith and was a regular parishioner at St. John XXIII Catholic Community in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also attended church services at Holy Family Church in Chimayo, New Mexico when he was working or visiting in northern New Mexico.

Mourning his loss are his wife, Linda (Martinez) Ortega, whom he married on December, 9, 1967; children, Renee (Kevin Neff) Ortega-Neff of Gilbert, Arizona, and Bryan (Monique Renaud) Ortega of Gilbert, Arizona; grandchildren, Savannah (David) Fiore, Chandler (Nathan) McCormick, Taylor (Patrick) Ortega, and Trevor (Laila) Ortega; great grandchildren Ivy, Iris, and Morgan Fiore and Mia McCormick; sister, Grace (Eddie) Trujillo of Espanola, NM; brothers, Mel (Elma) Ortega and Leo (Betty) Ortega, of Chimayo, NM, and Tom (Helen) Ortega, of Albuquerque, NM; bothers-in-law, Casey (Nannette) Martinez and Perry Martinez, as well as many loving relatives and very special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anastacio R. and Gravelita L. (Vigil) Ortega; his in-laws, Rubel and Aurora (Rodriguez) Martinez; brothers, Roger Ortega and Arthur (Clara) Ortega; bothers-in-law, James Martinez and Kenneth Martinez; nephews, Michael Ortega and Ricky Ortega; and niece, JoAnn Ortega.

There will be a funeral service on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at St. John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, starting at one o’clock in the afternoon. Family reception to follow at the church hall.

An additional mass will take place on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Holy Family Parish in Chimayo, NM, 1440 Private Drive, NM-76 #10, Chimayo, NM 87522, starting at two o’clock in the afternoon.