Benceslado (Ben) Gallegos, 92, joined his wife in heaven on June 12. He was born in Albuquerque, N.M., on May 10, 1923, the oldest of eight children to Manuel Antonio Gallegos and Felipita Torres Gallegos. Ben graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1941. He married Modesta Garcia on June 25, 1942, and they moved to Denver, where he worked for Remington Arms Co. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in March 1943. He served in the European Theater as a field radio operator, technician fifth grade in the 45th Signal Company operating in France, Germany and Belgium and was in the Battle of the Bulge. After completing his tour in the European Theater, he was on a troop ship in route to the South Pacific when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan.Following the war, he joined his wife in Albuquerque. He began his career with the U.S. Postal Service and retired as a supervisor in 1980. He enjoyed stone cutting, making jewelry, hunting, fishing and camping, but, most of all, he enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Pagosa Springs.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Modesta; infant son, Phillip; his parents; brothers Alfred and Paul Gallegos; sister Theresa De La O; and lifelong friend Max Lucero.
He is survived by five children: Ben Ronald Gallegos and wife Reena, of Los Lunas; Charles LeRoy Gallegos and wife Mary Louise, of Pagosa Springs; Rita Gallegos Logan and husband Mike, of Los Chavez; Patricia G. D’Angelo and husband Mark, of Albuquerque; and Phillip A. Gallegos and spouse Rudy Archibeque, of Edgewood; 10 grandchildren: Greg Gallegos and wife Dolores, of Pagosa Springs; Melissa G. Ybarra and husband Tony, of Rio Rancho; Pamela Machac and husband Gerald, of Bedford, Texas; Fred Gallegos and wife Anna, of Albuquerque; Jason D’Angelo and wife Jeanina, Adam D’Angelo, Derek Logan and fiancée Faith, of Belen; Juliet Labreche and husband Francis, Shanna Therese Sanchez and husband Gilbert, and Trisha Modestine Pillars and husband Marcus, all of Albuquerque. He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren: Matthew, Michael and Anthony Gallegos, Luis-Miguel, Marco and Sylvianna Ybarra, Krystle Griego, Matthew and Lauryn Machac, Luke Chavez and Zaiah Logan, Sophia and Madeline Labreche; two brothers, Tony and Louie Gallegos; and sisters Agnes Sanchez and Annie Sanchez.
Rosary was recited on Tuesday, June 16, at 6 p.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 17, at 9 a.m., also at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Interment will be Thursday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Greg Gallegos, Fred Gallegos, Jason D’Angelo, Adam D’Angelo, Derek Logan and Anthony Gallegos.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart or American Lung Association. Please visit the online guest book for Ben at www.FrenchFunerals.com.
