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305 Calle Salazar
Española, New Mexico
Nicolas Salazar Obituary
APRIL 18, 1929 - OCTOBER 23, 2020
Nicolas Leopoldo Salazar was born of humble beginnings in Chamita, New Mexico to Leopoldo Salazar and Elena Lovato. Nick has one brother, Richard Salazar. He loved ranching and helped his parents raise livestock, fruit trees especially apples and a variety of crops especially his mother's famous green chili. At a young age he accompanied his grandparents to Colorado where they worked as migrant laborers picking potatoes and other crops. He graduated from Espanola High School where he lettered in football and was on the staff of the school year book Tah Weh. In 1950, he married the love of his life, Maria Ana Abeyta. They have three children Yvonne, Earl, and Gregory. This year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
He worked in Los Alamos beginning in 1943 until 2016. He worked his way up from dishwasher at the Jemez Boys Ranch to the highest level Tech doing thermonuclear research at the Lab and ended his career as one of the Governors of the National Laboratories. He was in the Air Force, a New Mexico State Representative for 46 years, and was an elected county commissioner meeting at Tierra Amarilla during the court house raid by Reies Lopez Tijerina where he was held hostage along with the other commissioners at that meeting. At one time or another during his public career, he was either President or Chairman of 20 some odd national organizations. As a Legislator he was a champion for the elderly, education for all that wanted it, advancement in technologies, economic development, and law enforcement.
He is survived by his wife Ana, children Yvonne and Michael Browne; Earl and Rebecca Salazar; and Gregory Salazar Sr.; grandchildren Gregory Jr. and Delfinia Salazar, Nicholas and Ashley Salazar and Amanda Salazar; great-grandchildren Jesse Salazar, Nicole Salazar, Jaden Jamerson, Samuel Salazar, and Cesar Salazar; brother Richard Salazar, nieces and nephews Roberta and Roger Grider, Richard and Janet Salazar, Toni and Ren Elder, Ricky and Marcia Salazar; Judy Lujan, Tony Isaccs, Gregory D Isaccs, Brian Isaccs, Jan Lujan, Ira Lujan, Eric Lujan and Gabriel Lujan; and many beloved great nieces and nephews, cousins and godchildren.
Pallbearers: Gregory Salazar Jr., Nicholas Salazar, Jesse Salazar, Ricky Salazar, Gregory David Isaccs, and Gabriel Lujan. Honorary pallbearers: Richard Salazar (nephew), Ira Lujan, Brian Isaccs and Eric Lujan.
Please join the family by participating in a live stream event:
viewlogies.net/rivera/RyMvpqMNF. This will begin on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Salazar Family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Rivera Family Funeral Homes of Espanola. Please visit riverafamilyfuneral home.com to share your condolences, memories, and photos.
Rivera Family Funeral Home
305 Calle Salazar
Espanola, NM 8753
Phone: (505) 753-2288
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nicolas Salazar
Suzanne Ronneau
November 17, 2020
The League of Women Voters of New Mexico would like to let the family know that Paul Sedillo of Albuquerque has made a donation to our Education Fund in memory of Mr. Salazar.
Fred and Mary Thronas and Family
November 1, 2020
Dear Family
May God comfort you in this sad time. Mr. Nick was a gentleman and loved life so much. We remember he and Richard going on foot to bring cows down from high mountain pastures thought they were part mountain goat.
Good person good times. Remember those good times.
The Thronas Family
Fred and Mary Thronas and Family
November 1, 2020
Dear Family
May God comfort you in this sad time. Mr. Nick was a gentleman and loved life so much. We remember he and Richard going on foot to bring cows down from high mountain pastures thought they were part mountain goat.
Good person good times. Remember those good times.
Melessia Helberg
November 1, 2020
He was a fine gentleman and an outstanding Legislator with whom it was a pleasure to work.
Bruce McReynolds
October 29, 2020
I began working at LANL in 1983. I worked in HR with Earl. For about twenty years, off and on, I ate lunch with Nick, Henry Ortega and whoever else happened to join us. What a fine gentleman - a life well-lived.
Justice Barbara Vigil
October 29, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Salazar Family. Representative Salazar was an outstanding leader and a dear friend. He guided, supported and lead in many initiatives to improve the lives of northern New Mexicans. He will be greatly missed.
John Browne
October 28, 2020
Our condolences to Nick’s family. He always greeted us with a smile and a handshake. He made the Laboratory and northern New Mexico a better place for all. John & Marti Browne
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