Elias Manuel Quintana

Elias Manuel Quintana, age 93, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed peacefully on July 12, 2024.

The celebration of his life has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024. See details below.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jose D. Quintana, his mother, Adelita (Fresquez) Quintana, his step-mother Maria Quintana, sister Priscilla Myers (husband John) and brother Johnnie Quintana (wife Mary, and second wife Emma), and several in-laws.

Elias was born on May 17, 1931 in Cuarteles, NM in his grandmother's home. As a young man, he helped care for his ill mother, Adelita, who passed away when he was 12.

When Elias was young, his dad Jose would ask his help to repair his dump truck. Sometimes the repair jobs were complicated and difficult so Elias would tell his father "No puedo" (I can't). Jose would respond with "si, puedes" (yes, you can) and then leave him alone to figure it out, returning later to find the job was done.  With that life lesson, Elias took on all manner of projects: landscaping, cabinet making, irrigation installation, reroofing, skylight installation, car repair, electrical work, etc.  Later in life, he passed on those problem-solving skills to all of his kids.

In high school, he played on the volleyball and basketball teams.  He was only 17 when he was asked to drive a school bus to pick up his classmates between Chimayo and Santa Cruz.  He was voted "best dressed" by his senior class, perhaps because he didn't like to wear blue jeans.

After high school graduation he took a radio communications course in Albuquerque that changed his life.  In 1951, during the Korean War, he was drafted into the Army as a communications specialist due to that experience, and was deployed to a Headquarters Communications Command in Fairbanks, Alaska where he received additional training and was soon in charge of communications for the entire battalion.

After Corporal Quintana completed his active service in 1953, he attended New Mexico State University, where he met and courted Otilia "Tillie" Sierra from Chamberino, NM.

They married in December 1956 and had sons, Steven and David. After graduating with a Civil Engineering degree, he was hired by the Army Corps of Engineers in Albuquerque.  The job took their young family to Roswell where they had their son Gilbert, and twins Ralph and Jerry.

After relocating back to Albuquerque, they were blessed with a daughter, Deborah. While raising six kids with Tillie, Elias received a Master's in Engineering Degree at the University of New Mexico. His expertise in hydraulic engineering earned him a leadership role and the respect of his peers and the engineers that he mentored. 

Elias was active in his sons' Boy Scout Troops, where he encouraged all of them to become Eagle Scouts. 

The family attended St Bernadette's Catholic Church and later Annunciation Church. Elias had faith in Jesus Christ; he regularly prayed the rosary and had strong spiritual beliefs that guided him throughout his life. Elias encouraged his family's spirituality through his example of unconditional love.

After retiring he enjoyed walking his dogs (Nugget and Hershey), spending time with grandkids, fishing, camping and attending Lobo basketball games. He treasured his family and friends, especially the regular breakfast gatherings of his friends in the ROMEO (Real Old Men Eating Out) group.

Elias will be remembered for his work ethic and sense of humor.  He loved to tease Tillie by driving on the 40 degree sloped portion of the parking lot after church.  The children squealed with glee while Tillie admonished him with "ELIAS!" 

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Otilia, and his children Steven, David (Debbie), Gilbert (Sally), Ralph (Kate), Jerry (Frank), and Deborah, grandchildren Jessica, Julia, Jacob, and Joseph, great grandchild Robin, and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews.

The celebration of his life will be held at Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church, 8901 Candeleria Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.  Rosary 11am; Funeral Mass 11:30am, followed by a reception in the hall at 12:30pm.  Burial will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and will take place at a later date.