Leo Lillo Chavez

LEO S. CHAVEZ

We are sad to announce the passing of Leo S. Chavez of Cuba, NM on April 21, 2024.  Leo passed away in his daughter’s home in El Prado, NM while visiting for the weekend.  Leo was 83 years old.  

Leo was born on September 2, 1940 in Cuba, New Mexico to Telesfor and Celia Chavez.  Leo graduated from Cuba High School in 1959 in Cuba, New Mexico.  Leo was a good basketball player who secured a basketball scholarship to play at St. Joseph’s College in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Although he chose not to pursue college basketball, he was always an avid basketball fan.  Leo instilled the love of basketball to his children and grandchildren.  He watched his last basketball game the night before he passed.

Leo married his wife, Frances Chavez, on May 27, 1961 in Abiquiu, NM and they shared 61 loving years as husband and wife.  Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; his parents, Telesfor and Celia Chavez; and, his siblings, Filemon Chavez, Vidal Chavez, Conrad Chavez, Dorella Aragon, and Eustacio “Tacho” Chavez.  

He is survived by his sons, Ron Chavez (Shirley), from Espanola, NM, Randy Chavez (Kathy), from Albuquerque, NM, his daughters Amie Chavez-Aguilar (Daniel), from El Prado, NM and Carol Chavez, from Cuba, NM; his grandchildren, Desiree Chavez (Tim), Joshua Chavez, Daniel Aguilar, Jaron Chavez, Ariana Aguilar, and Christopher Cavazos; his great-grandchildren, Estrella Tena and Abigail Herrera; his god-children Leona Gaylen Aguilar, Audrey Aragon, Shirley Chavez-Ortega, Frieda Cordova, John Salaz, Benito Chavez, Manuelito Arellano, and Harold Arellano; his sister, Theresa Salaz (Merejildo); his brother, Frank “Kiko” Chavez (Rosemary); and, numerous other relatives and friends.    

Leo was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and loving friend.  Leo worked in the Sawmill in Cuba, NM for 32 years.   When the Sawmill closed, he left Cuba and worked in a sawmill in Mescalero, NM for 5 years.  Thereafter, he returned to Cuba when he was offered a position at the NM State Highway Department in Cuba, NM where he worked until he retired.   Leo always strived to support his family in the best ways possible.  He was a committed husband who cared for his wife when she became ill until the date of her passing.  Leo was a devout Catholic who loved to sing in the choir at the Immaculate Conception Church in Cuba, NM.  Leo passed on the love of music to his children.  He will forever be remembered sitting on his chair playing his harmonica.  He will be missed by all who knew him.   

The funeral services will in held in Cuba, NM on Saturday, May 4, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. with a Rosary.  The Mass and Burial will follow.