Arthur Rosalio Alba

Arthur Alba passed away on September 6th, 2019 peacefully in his Lordsburg home after a battle with cancer.  Arturo was born in Deming, New Mexico on December 20, 1948 to Rosalio and Maria (Gallegos) Alba.  After a few years the family moved to Rodeo, New Mexico.  He was the eldest of nine siblings.  He attended High School in Animas, New Mexico and graduated in 1967.  Since he was a little boy, Arturo was known as “Arthur” and friends and family all called him by that name.

He joined the Navy in 1968 before being drafted and served during the Vietnam war.  He spent 4 years as a boilermaker on board the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Coral Sea.  He spent quite a few months off the coast of Vietnam providing support for Navy jet fighters.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, Arthur began working with Southern Pacific Pipe Company maintaining a section of the interstate fuel transmission lines from El Paso, Texas to Yuma, Arizona.  He retired in 2012 and settled into the retired life with all kinds of projects in mind.  He accomplished some of those projects before he was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately succumbed to this dreadful disease.

Arthur married Sylvia Calderon and had two boys, Anthony and Adrian.  Arthur had several skills and hobbies which included piloting, welding, metal work, mechanics, and hunting and he enjoyed doing these activities with his boys.  He was also a very active member at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church including being a Eucharistic Minister.

Arthur is survived by his siblings Xavier (Barbara), David (Mary), Danny (Kathy), Henry, Victor (Jonnie), Monica (David) Amidei, and Tony (Susy); his children Anthony and Adrian; and his grandchildren Adrian and Able.  He is preceded in death by his parents Rosalio and Maria Alba and his brother René.

Services will be held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lordsburg, New Mexico, on Saturday September 14, 2019 with visitation beginning at 12 noon followed by a rosary that will begin at 1 o’clock led by Alice Ramirez.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 with Fr. Jude Okonkwo officiating.  Interment will be at Rodeo, NM following the service.  Reception following at the Rodeo Community Center.

We want to acknowledge his entire Hospice team who enabled his final wish to pass away at home.  Special thanks to Bertha Calderon and Jill Cavaliere who put in many extra hours to help keep Arthur comfortable over and above the call. 

Pallbearers will be Xavier Alba, Victor Alba, Michael Alba, Augustine Gallegos, Daniel Gallegos and Carlos Bejarano.

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