Benjamin Baca

Benjamin Baca of Santa Fe, New Mexico passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 14, 2019 after some medical problems. Benjamin was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico to Alfredo and Charlotte Baca. Benjamin married his high school sweetheart, Deluvine Roybal on August 28, 1957, a marriage of 61 years. Mr. B as he liked to be called, was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He will be remembered as a dedicated family man whose passion was community service. He attended Santa Fe High School, graduated from College of Santa Fe with a B.A. in Elementary Education, and The University of New Mexico with a M.A. in Special Education and in Education Specialist in Administration. He began his teaching career in 1962 at Milan Elementary in Grants, retired from Santa Fe Public Schools in 1989, and continued to work with at risk students for SER Jobs for Progress until March 2013. As an educator and administrator, he worked in the Santa Fe public schools for over 25 years, Benjamin was highly acclaimed as a champion for youth and public education. In 1982 Mayor Louis Montano declared October 9th "OFFICIAL BEN BACA DAY". In the 1970s he coordinated The Special Olympics for Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Las Vegas, NM, Pecos, Espanola, and Taos for students with developmental disabilities. He was also an active member of the community as a swim coach and basketball coach. Mr. Baca served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War on board the LST802, discharged honorably. Mr. B enjoyed working on his yard, wood carving, and at one point he served on the Don Diego DeVargas staff as a Caballero. He and his wife Deluvine have 4 children and for the past 33 years have been active members of the Sociadad Colonial de Santa Fe, dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the Spanish culture in New Mexico. In the recent past he was invited to become Knighted in Santiago de Compostela, Spain for preserving the colonial dances of Spain in New Mexico although he was unable to travel to accept the honor due to health issues. The Baca Family is grateful to all the community members and friends who have contrib