Nick Sais

Nick J. Sais

9.29.40 – 1.1.24

Nick left this world peacefully on New Year’s Day after an 8 year battle with cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. He was surrounded by many he loved during his illness and passing. Nick was 83 years old, and lived a full life with many milestones. He was born on September 29th, 1940 to Carlota Chavez and Jose “Pepe” Sais. When just 3 months old, his father died on Christmas Day leaving a teenage mother and an infant to move to a place Nick later called home with his grandma and grandpa Chavez where he became a prayerful and devout Catholic. He lived with his grandparents, aunts, and uncles until he graduated from Magdalena High School and left to attend New Mexico Highlands University. After deciding college was not for him, Nick worked in the uranium mines near Grants, NM but later left to join the New Mexico State Police and graduated with the NMSP Academy Class 19 in October of 1964.

As a young officer Nick was critically shot in the line of duty during the famous Tierra Amarilla Courthouse Raid. Coming close to death didn’t deter his enthusiasm for being a State Police Officer. He continued and worked as a patrol officer, undercover, and graduated from the FBI Academy before rising through the ranks of the NMSP. Nick retired in 1991 as Captain who was in charge of Socorro and Albuquerque for a period of time. He was always proud of his career. Nick spent the remainder of his working years helping his mother Carlota in her store in Magdalena.

The other facet of Nick’s life was his personal life. He was the father of 7 children, 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren that he loved dearly and unconditionally. They were the most important part of his legacy. Nick was not only blessed with his children and grandchildren but he made many friendships from all over New Mexico that lasted throughout his life.

While he was ill he never had much to say during a phone call or a visit but his friends remained diligent, many calling him daily. He loved his friends and the memories that they made together. He would say that he and his friends would always be there for each other.

In more recent years, before his illness worsened, he could be seeing driving his truck with his little companion, a white poodle named Rocky, quite an unlikely pair. When Nick’s ability to leave the house diminished, the light of his life was his youngest grandson Leo who spent countless hours with him on the yard tractor, or on the recliner watching cartoons.

Nick is survived by his wife JoAnn of 36 years, his 7 children: Jude (Nancy), Jennifer, Jason (Jessica), Julie (Phillip) Trujillo, Justin (Stella), Juan (Valerie), Jonique (Zach) Gallegos, his sister Jill Salome and his sister-in-law Dyan (John) Krcmarik and sister-in-law Helen Salome, as well as several close cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dennis Lucero.

Nick would boast about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, their academic accomplishments, their basketball and soccer accomplishments and enjoyed watching them play on TV as well as in the State Basketball Tournament. He looked forward to the little ones playing sports like the older ones do, and he was a loyal Magdalena Steer fan.

Pallbearers: Zach Gallegos, Jason Sais, Juan Sais, Jude Sais, Justin Sais and Phillip Trujillo.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jerry Armijo, Sonny Baca, Juan Gutierrez, Allen Lewis, Carl Lewis, Pat Lewis, Jim Romero and PJ Salcido.

The family would like to thank the friends who were so loyal, Socorro General Hospital and Good Samaritan Society for their kindness and care.

Services for Nick will be:

Saturday, January 13th

Rosary & Mass from 8:30AM -11:00 AM

San Miguel Church, Socorro, NM

Burial to follow in Magdalena

Reception to follow back in Socorro