Rafael Manuel Pena

Rafael Manuel Pena, 78, born October 24th, 1939 died Friday September 21st after a battle with cancer.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Angela (Macias) Pena, his daughters, Maria De Los Angeles Pena and Maria Isela Pena and husband Alex Forestieri; his much loved granddaughter Maia Isabella Peters and a large extended family of nephews and nieces who loved and respected him. He was also a devoted uncle.
Born in Veracruz Mexico to Rosa Pena, Rafael Pena lived in Mexico City as a child and later in Ciudad Juarez and San Elizario, TX with his mother until settling down in El Paso Texas which became his home until his death.
Mr. Pena was a devoted father and husband. He traveled with his family to Mexico multiple times every year where he loved to visit beaches with his family.
Rafael Pena committed himself to his education and worked tirelessly through a Physics degree (minor in Mathematics) at The University of Texas at El Paso after previously graduating from Lydia Patterson High School. He is a veteran of the United States Army after serving active duty in the early 1960's. Mr. Pena found his life's purpose after he accepted a teaching position at Jefferson High School in the early 1970's (and later at Sylvia Magnet School). At Jefferson High School he taught thousands of students throughout his 42-year teaching career and also coached the Chess Club where he committed his passion and weekends to his students where the Jefferson High School Chess Team won many awards throughout the years. Mr. Pena only retired after his second battle with Cancer in 2011 and to no one's surprise, he continued to substitute teach until he could no longer continue. Mr. Pena is remembered by hundreds of students and is also well respected as a great High School Physics teacher. Visitation will be Tuesday September 25, 2018 from 5-9pm at Martin Funeral Home Central with 7pm vigil. Funeral Mass 1:15pm Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Blessed Sacrament Church. Interment Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.