Joseph Ben Cacciatore

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Paula (Passanante); son, Mark Trimble; grandsons, Mason (Keri) Trimble and Marshal Trimble; brother-in-law, Tom Passanante; sister-in-law, Lois (Ronnie) Gernon; cousins, Kathy (Joel) MacDonald and Mike Avery; and numerous nieces, nephews, family members and many friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Viola and Ben Cacciatore; uncle, Lester Cacciatore; aunt, Marylou Avery; in-laws, Jackie and Jack Passanante; brother-in-law, Jack Passanante Jr.; and numerous relatives. Joe was a 1966 graduate of Trinidad High School, Trinidad, Colo. He served his country with honor in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 and was a Vietnam veteran. Joe worked at Rainbow Bakery and Abex Rail Corp in Pueblo, Colo., before he and Paula moved to Chrisman, Ill., for three years where he worked as a construction painter and made numerous friends who have remained throughout his life. Then he and Paula moved to Raton, N.M., where he worked at Southwestern Hollow Metal, then retired as a 30-year member of the UMWA Local 7949 of Raton, N.M. Joe was an active member of the MCMC Hospital Auxiliary for ten years. What made Joe happiest was riding his motorcycle with his wife and numerous friends throughout the country. They belonged to the Independent Riders of Raton who volunteered their time to help the "Run for the Wall" riders on their way to Washington, D.C. A Celebration of his Life will be held in Pueblo, Colo., for friends and family, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at the IBEW Local 12, 2901 Farabaugh Lane, from 1 to 4 p.m. An additional Celebration of Life will be held in Raton, N.M., at a future date to be announced. Final resting place will be at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Angel Fire, N.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through "vietnamveteransmemorial.org." A special thank you to Dr. David Snyder, Caroline Owen and all of the caring staff at the Christus St. Vincent Cancer Center and Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, N.M.