Israel Juarez

Israel Juarez, born September 12, 1926. On Friday, June 26, 2015, our world held its breath and acknowledged the passing of Israel ?Izzy? Juarez. Izzy was one of the most highly regarded and best loved elementary principals in Albuquerque for over 40 years. He created many fond memories for staff, students and families. He never failed to run into a former student, parent or staff member at a Lobo game or at Walmart, so that it seemed to his family that everybody knew Izzy Juarez. Each and every person we encountered had a sweet or endearing story to share about some kindness they were shown or how he volunteered to support them when no one else stepped up to help. After his retirement, in 1990 he pursued his remarkable membership in his Northwest Optimists Club, and his total devotion to the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, his interests and time was carefully divided between woodworking and furniture creation, gardening and spending quality time with every member of his family and good friends. Before passing, Izzy forged an 88 year trail of loving devotion to family and friends, easy laughter, incredible generosity, compassion for all and wisdom. He was most proud of his status as a World War II Veteran and native New Mexican. Israel Juarez will be forever missed by his best friend Mona, his daughter, Dolly, and her Frank. While his little immediate family is saddened by his passing, they have all been indelibly touched by his special gifts. He missed his parents, Italia Grassi Juarez and Thomas Juarez. He mourned the loss of his dear sister, Maxine Villa, his brothers Lonnie Juarez, his twin, Ismael Juarez, Clarence Juarez, and Bob Grassi and his nephews Joe Reyes his wife Lucy and most recently, Lonnie Juarez, Jr. He loved his whole family with energy and his big heart and he cherished the devotion shown by his sweet brother, Jimmy Juarez and his wife Cecelia Juarez. Each niece and nephew loved their uncle Izzy. He made time for each of them. He was quick to hold each one as special; Lisa Juarez, Jim Juarez, Tom Juarez, Sandra Juarez, Michael Juarez, Margaret Chavez, Johnny Juarez, Pricilla Reyes, Vivian Reyes, Gino Juarez, Gloria Masters, Jerry Thomas Juarez, Andrea and Bernadette Juarez, John and Teresa Juarez, and Valerie Juarez and may other nephews, nieces and their children??. His Northwest Optimist?s family of friends like Jim Apodaca, Anthony and Gary Motto were the most kind and dear to him. He especially missed his buddy Howard Hoffman who passed before him. Each and every one cherishes the well told stories of Izzy?s rich and caring spirit, because he was the real optimist.
The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Services for Israel Juarez will be held Thursday, July 2, 2015 at:
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church
5415 Fortuna Road NW Albuquerque, NM 87105 ? 505-836-5011
Rosary at 8:15am
Mass at 9:00am
Internment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 3:00pm
Pall Bearers are Tom Juarez, Matthew Juarez, Michael DeVito, Jim Juarez, Jim Apodaca, Gary Motto and Anthony Motto. Arrangements entrusted to Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque, 225 San Mateo Blvd. NE, (505) 764-9663.