Louis Santa Maria

  Louie Santa Maria

1928 - 2019

Louie Santa Maria, 91, of Rio Rancho, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2019 at his home.

Louie was born June 19, 1928 to Jose and Catalina Gomez Santa Maria in Los Angeles, California.  He was Student Body President at Belmont High School and played tennis and football, ran track and was also a cheerleader.  He enlisted in the Air Force on August 4, 1948 and was honorably discharged in October 1951.  When he retired from P.E. O’Hare in 1991, he moved with his wife to his home in Rio Rancho.

Louie married Mary T. Torres on April 8, 1951 and she was the love of his life for 68 years.  He devoted his life to caring for her and their eight children,

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus both in California and New Mexico.  As a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, he and Terry were involved in the Marriage Enrichment and Pre Cana programs.  He also served as a coordinator for the Adoration Chapel and served as an usher.

Louie is survived by his wife Terry and his legacy will live on through their children ~ Dori (Culpeper, Virginia), Ray (Maui, Hawaii), Joe (Rio Rancho, New Mexico), Rick (Laguna Beach, California), Rob and Laura, (Banks, Oregon) and Regina and Don (Rio Rancho, New Mexico), their grandchildren ~ Scott, Jennifer (and James), Renee, Rachael, Alisa (and Sean), Ariel, Aaron (and Tina), Crystal (and Dave), Mark (and Caiti), Sarah (and Mike), Andrew F., Robby, Andrew, Kristina (and Andy) and their great grandchildren ~ Joshua, Jenna, Julia, Josie, Ayla, Nora, Hunter, Brendan, Mason, Alek, Emma and Gabriella.

Louie was preceded in death by his sons Michael and Christopher.

He led by example, not by teaching but by showing life long lessons of respect and honor for his family and by his devotion to God.

He touched many in his life from close friends and neighbors to members of his church.  He was respected and loved by his extended family, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews whom he adored.  In times of need, he opened his home to family and servicemen. 

There were friends who considered him a second father, a mentor, a trusted advisor and someone to look up to.  But mostly, he was loved.  “His Lord said to him, well done good and faithful servant.”  Matthew 26:23

A rosary will be said at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Rio Rancho on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 2:30 p.m.  Interment at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico will take place at a later date.

A reception in his honor will be held following Mass at the family home in Rio Rancho until 6:00 p.m.