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BORN
1963
DIED
2021
Matthew Quintana Obituary
Matty was born in Santa Fe, N.M. on February 1, 1963. A lifelong Catholic, he was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and enjoyed going to mass when his health permitted.
Although Matty was born with the genetic disorder of Down Syndrome, he lived a full life and was embraced by the Las Vegas, N.M. community.
He attended Las Vegas City Schools as a child and graduated from Robertson High School on June 2, 1984. While a student at RHS, he was well known for his participation as a team manager for football and basketball under the direction of the late Coach Michael Marr and Memorial Middle School Coach John Paul Armijo.
After graduation from RHS, Matty moved on to team manager for the New Mexico Highlands University Men's Basketball program with Coach Henry O. Sanchez taking Matty under his wing. The late Coach Sanchez often referred to Matty as his "Alma Santa-Holy Innocent" and kept Matty at his side during all home games.
Matty was also an active figure on the NMHU football sidelines under the direction of Head Coach Daniel Shonka, and was recruited by Dr. Leo Martinez to attend a NMHU drafting class. Matty enjoyed his college days at NMHU and was awarded a certificate of achievement as a "Special Ambassador of New Mexico Highlands University" by New Mexico Secretary of State, Mary Herrera, on November 7, 2007, for his "Cowboy Spirit". He also received an NMHU Athletic Hall of Honor Award from Ted Maestas, President of the H-Club, for his "Extraordinary Spirit" and contributions to NMHU as an "outstanding cowboy" on September 20, 2007.
Matty was a loving son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Nazario and Elicia Quintana; and his maternal grandparents, Curtis and Lois Revell.
He is survived by his parents, Ernie and Bunny Quintana of the family home in Sapello; brothers and sister-in-laws, Lawrence Quintana and Yvette Arellanes of Sapello, Jay and LeeEtte Quintana of Sapello, and Keith and Kathy Quintana of Fairport, N.Y.; nieces, Jenny Smith and husband Michael of Las Vegas, Nev., J'Ette Quintana and Terence Horner of Sapello, Jeana Ayres and husband Jeff of Southern Pines, N.C., Jayme Quintana of Albuquerque, Joedy Quintana of Las Vegas, Kristin Mora and husband Antonio of Santa Fe, Ashley Arellanes and Chip Ortiz of Las Vegas, and Shelby Parmentier of Agusta, Ga.; nephews, Kurtis Quintana of Santa Fe, Kody Quintana of Boulder, Colo., Austin Quintana of New York, N.Y., Lee Martinez and wife Melissa of San Marcos, Tex., and PJ Arellanes of Austin, Tex.; Uncle Lee Revell of Clinton, Mo.; numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
The Quintana family would like to thank everyone for the sympathy cards, phone calls, and other messages sent in condolence for our beloved Matty Quintana. We appreciate your kind thoughts, words and prayers.
A rosary for Matty will be given at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at 7 p.m. Please join us as we pray for Matty and remember his inspirational life.
A Memorial Funeral Service will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 10, 2021 with Father Rob Yaksich as celebrant.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the church capacity is limited to 130 people; therefore, the service will be live streamed on the OLOS Facebook and web page for those who can't attend in person. A private family Interment of cremains will follow in Sapello with Matty's angel-Jayme Quintana serving as urn bearer.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials are offered to the NMHU Matthew John Quintana Endowment fund, which serves to provide financial assistance for NMHU students with disabled children. Donations can be mailed to: Matthew John Quintana Endowment, NMHU Foundation, Box 9000, Las Vegas, N.M. 87701, or online at www.nmhufoundation.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Quintana
Viola Martinez
May 10, 2021
My sincere and deepest condolences to Ernie, Bunny, and family. Matty was a special human being who practiced the art of kindness everyday of his life. He truly represented the wonderful upbringing of his family, filled with love, joy, laughter, and athleticism. He was, and is, an icon in Las Vegas! Forever will be missed. Viola Martinez
Debrann Hickethier
April 28, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Antoinette Lopez
April 28, 2021
My family and I used to be neighbors with Matty and his family, I remember walking home with him from Paul D.Henry,I remember there was always a sweet soul inside of him! Our condolences to your family rest in peace Matty!
Yvonne Cartee
April 27, 2021
My grandparents Herman and Lucy Saiz were made guardian of a special child named Michelle who we all called Mickey. She and Matty were classmates all the way through graduation. They actually attended the Senior Prom of 1984 together and we have the photos. My grandparents have since passed away and Mickey now lives with my mother. Matty was a gentle soul, friendly and lovable. My mom has always said children like Matty and Mickey are gifts from God. Take solace in knowing that grandpa and grandma were there to take him in like they did many others while they were here. I even named my son Matthew and his classmates called him Matty since there were 3 Matthews in his class. My prayers and deepest condolences to Ernie and Bunny. Matty’s light will always shine on us, now it will be a bright star in the sky.
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louie
April 26, 2021
I am sorry to hear about Matt's passing. May Matt rest in peace. To his surviving family, please accept my sincere condolences. May God comfort you now and always.
Con respeto, Louie Trujillo
Edwin Sedillo
April 25, 2021
My brother Lawrence and family... So so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your familyI will always remember your bro, you all loved him and I new that about you Quintana’s. Family first, I like that about you all! You guys also treated me good and I felt the love there too! Always hard to loose our loved ones God grant you all peace and comfort, may the memories of Matty live on...
My love to all the Quintana’s,
Love you bro
Edwin & kathi
Andrew and Eileen Lovato
April 24, 2021
Mr. Quintana, Mrs. Quintana, Keith and to all of Matthew’s family, we are so sorry to hear of Matthew’s passing. May God bless you all and may memories of Matty comfort you.
Dana and Lonnie Lucero
April 24, 2021
Bunny, Ernie and family. Lonnie and I just heard that Matty passed. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. It’s been a long time since we have seen you or the family but Lonnie always talks about Matty and their friendship. Matty was a very special man who was so giving and loving to everyone he knew. He will be missed. Remember that he has gone to a far better place and is sitting at the right hand of our Lord and Savior. Matty is gone but he will never be forgotten. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandra Madrid
April 23, 2021
Ernie, I am so sorry for your loss. I had him as a student and he was the sweetest young man. Always a smile on his face. He was an angel on earth. You and your wife were wonderful parents. I will keep him in my prayers. God bless you and your family.
Doris
April 23, 2021
Matty, what a pleasure it was knowing you and being the wonderful person that you were.. RIP, my friend and my condolence to Bunny and the family. Doris
Ralph and Lucy Martinez
April 23, 2021
Well hard to hear the the passing of the Best human and humane person I every met. My condolences to his family, I know you are suffering but gods plan has been put into place and his rebirth with god is fulfilled. Rest in Peace.
Charlie and Elizabeth Sandoval and family
April 23, 2021
Lawrence And Quintana family, Our deepest heart felt condolences, we are truly sorry for your loss. May God be with you.
Paul Sandoval and family
April 23, 2021
Lawrence and family , our deepest heart felt condolences. May Matty Rest In Peace . God bless.
Andres/Yvonne Aragon
April 22, 2021
Dear Lawrence and Quintana family -- It was always a pleasure to see Matty at the games. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Mike Flores
April 22, 2021
Coach Matt. Just a pure gentle soul, who loved life and the Robertson Cardinals. Rest in peace peace Sir.
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