Pete Gurule

March 28 1930 - October 12 2021 
The end of an era has left a mark on history when the Gurulé family lost their oldest member. For almost a century he lived his life as a good and generous man; he was lighthearted, faithful, and devoted to his family. He cared a great deal for all the people he was connected to and helped anyone who ever asked. He proudly served in the US Air Force for a third of his life. When he retired, he returned to his roots in Placitas to give back to the community. He was an amazing brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be greatly missed.
 Pete was born and raised in Placitas NM, son of Pedro Gurulé and Aurelia Gurulé, and brother of Catalina Gurulé, Josefita Miera, Martin Gurulé, Clory Gurulé, Grace Trujillo, and Lizzie Archibeque. Growing up Pete recognized all the hard work and accomplishments his parents had achieved. His mother, a midwife, delivered over 300 babies and still managed to be a full time mother and gardener. His father had been a board member of San Antonio de las Huertas Land Grant and owned the convenience store in the village. Even from humble beginnings Pete was destined for greatness because of his values that stemmed from his heritage. 
Pete graduated from Bernalillo High School in 1950 and enlisted in the US Air Force to serve his country. When he was stationed in Austin, TX in 1953 he met the love of his life, Virginia Ramon, and they were married September 10th, 1954. When he started his family, the Korean war had begun and he had to leave his bride and unborn child with his mother and sisters in Placitas. During her time in Placitas, Virginia learned to cook all of Pete’s favorite meals, including beans, rice, and green chile stew. After the birth of his son, Pete Gurulé III, and his safe return back home, he and his family began their travels. During their time moving around they had a second son, Gordon Gurulé, and third son Anthony Gurulé. Pete and his family were stationed in places like California, Louisiana, Turkey, and Hawaii to name a few.  
He served over 31 years in the air force and earned the highest rank of Chief Master Sergeant. When he decided to retire in April of 1982 he came back to New Mexico and bought a house in Albuquerque. 
“This was a perfect compromise, allowing us to be close to the rest of the family, but residing in the city,” Pete said as he reminisced on his life, “since Albuquerque is the ‘crossroads’ between east and west of two major interstates, it was easier for family and friends to visit.”
Through his travels he made lifelong friends that he kept in touch with over the years by sending a Christmas letter each year updating everyone on how he and Virginia were doing and what the family had been up to. Everywhere Pete went he found a way to help in the community.
“During our military career, Virginia and I often volunteered for various community projects, we have been active in the church and boy scouting.” Pete said. “Virginia was a den mother, and I was certified as a scoutmaster.”
Pete wasn’t completely ready to retire, when honorably discharged from service, so he worked part time at Sears, and then later the Kirtland Air Force base. He wanted to make use of his GI bill and so he went to TVI and took carpentry classes. He used his skills to help add-on to his Albuquerque home, and used what his mother had taught him about gardening to grow his own green chile. He became an active member of the San Antonio de Las Huertas Land Grant board of trustees and helped secure funding through Congress for government grants. 
When his son Pete III was struggling in raising his kids, Pete and Virginia stepped in to help him raise his four youngest daughters. He took foster classes and provided a stable home for his grandchildren. When most people his age were starting retirement, going on cruises, and golfing he chose to start all over in raising two moody teenagers and two toddlers. He taught them the value of hard work, helped them plan for life, and to recover when life didn’t go as planned. He taught them the power of faith and to not worry so much, that things work out the way they are supposed to. When his grandchildren grew up and started to venture out on their own, he supported them emotionally and always kept his home open to come back, even if it was just for a quick cup of coffee before work, Saturday dinner, or a holiday. 
In August of 2004 Pete and Virginia had celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary, with all their friends and family, by renewing their vows at their church. He reminisced over all the wonderful years he had spent with his wife and was very grateful. 
“By the grace of God, our health is holding, and neither of us can complain too much,” he said during the planning of their 50th anniversary event.
    He and Virginia had about 13 more years together after that. Pete was given sad news when his wife began to have strokes after she fell. The doctors told him she wouldn’t make it too much longer and when she was put on hospice, Pete took her home and willed her to live a year longer. His granddaughters took turns taking care of her to give him some relief, but he never let up, he wasn’t going to let her die without a fight. When she passed away, the day after thanksgiving, he held the line to keep his family strong in her absence. He continued to go to church, visited his sister weekly, and cared for family. He missed her every day, and kept her in his heart. 
    As Pete was approaching his own mortality, he put on a brave face for his family when he found out he had cancer. He accepted it and put his faith in God. 
“When he’s ready to take me, he’ll take me, it will be ok.” He spoke. “God gave me a good, mostly healthy life, and for that I am forever grateful.” 
Pete lived his life with great purpose and he definitely left his mark on this world, and it was better because of him.
Services schedule:

Friday Nov 5th 12:00pm-4:00pm Viewing at Daniels Wyoming Chapel 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque NM 87109,
6:00pm Rosary at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church 301 Camino Del Pueblo Bernalillo NM 87043

Saturday Nov 6th 9:00 am Mass, also at Our Lady of Sorrows, immediately after a Military interment will take place at Placitas Catholic Cemetery