Carlos Corral

The Diocese of Las Cruces has lost an exceptional friend. Mr. Carlos Corral, Director of the Office of Catholic Ministry, died at home in Las Cruces on April 19 at age of 54. Well known to many throughout the diocese as a result of his extensive work in the field of social ministry & community organizing projects, he succumbed to the ravages of cancer after an almost nine-year courageous battle. His passing has deeply touched all his colleagues at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Las Cruces as well as everyone who knew & worked with him throughout Southern NM. Born November 4, 1952, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, he passed his elementary school years studying south of the border. Summers were spent living with his grandmother on a ranch in El Ojito near the foothills of the Taraumara Mountains. "Living with my grandmother taught me respect for life, the environment & all nature," he would say. Skills he learned as a child & young adult stayed with him. He became an exceptional horseman & an avid hunter of deer & elk. Physically demanding efforts of the environmental cleanup such as clearing drainage areas for controlling floodwaters didn't keep him from enjoying a day of skiing or a ranch-style barbeque with friends & coworkers. His humanity, love of friends & camaraderie showed in everything he did & touched. Later, his family would move to the United States opening the door for him to study at & eventually graduating from Gadsden High School in 1972. He attended classes at NMSU in Las Cruces & Eastern NM University in Roswell. He was a natural leader, always hungry for knowledge & combining hands-on experiences with social & developmental skills. He studied at New Hampshire College School of Business in Manchester, NH graduating with a Master's degree in Community Economic & Development in 1997. In February of this year, he was conferred with the prestigious "Achievement Award" for the application of his thesis work through the New Hampshire College of Business. He was to receive it in June. While his studies progressed, in 1985, Carlos would accept the position of Associate Director of the Office of Catholic Social Ministry with the Diocese of Las Cruces. In 2001, he assumed the Directorship of the Social Ministry Office. Among his many administrative accomplishments during his association with the office of Social Ministry, were his guidance of the amnesty project from 1987-1989, creation of the Dona Ana County Colonias Development Council in 1992 & the family Unity office in 1996. His great love of the theatrical arts would enhance his personal contribution to Diocesan functions. It was not unusual to see him in charge of designing & acting in skits to entertain persons attending a broad array of diocesan sponsored events. He used the dramatic to teach about profoundly serious community issues. Clearly the efforts of Carlos Corral on behalf of the poor of Southern NM have been both exemplary & effective. The fruits of his many projects continue to multiply & the spirit of his special devotion to the people of this border area's colonias continues to resonate in social & economic advances. Of even greater importance, the friendship & support he offered to all those in need who approached him remains a permanent legacy. Truly, he was a friend to all & it is in that light, that those whom he worked with & touched will most remember. Survivors include his loving parents, Guillermo & Elena Corral of Anthony; his companion, Rosemary Luchini Gonzalez of Las Cruces; two sons, Gabriel Corral of Phoenix, AZ, Andres Corral of Doña Ana; one daughter, Stephanie Corral of Las Cruces; one brother, Dr. Javier Corral & fiancée Elvia Rodriguez of El Paso, TX & children David & Daniel Corral; three sisters, Eva Esquivel of San Diego, CA & her children, Angelique, Rodger & Roland, Laura Mouravieff & husband Pierre of Edmond, OK, Lou Cisneros & husband Ernesto of El Paso, TX & their children, Max and Nico. He was preceded in death by his sister, Araceli Corral & his maternal & paternal grandparents. A Prayer Vigil will be held Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 6 PM in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1327 N. Miranda Street. Family & Friends will join together to celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10 AM Monday, April 23, 2007 in Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, 1240 S. Espina with the Most Reverend Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B. officiating. The Rite Committal & Interment will follow in the Anthony Cemetery where he will be laid to rest. Serving as casket bearers will be Gabriel, Andres & Dr. Javier Corral, Henry Herrera, Antonio Lujan & Ernesto Cisneros. Honorary bearers will be Butch Morales, Ronald Esquivel & Jose Ramirez. In lieu of flowers, a memorial endowment in Carlos' name for charitable works or Catholic Charities may be made to the Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation, 1280 Med Park Drive, Las Cruces. NM 88005. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces. 527-2222.