Elfego Fajardo

1922 - 2016

Elfego S. Fajardo passed away peacefully on March 20, 2016. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Bertha Chavez Fajardo, his mother and father, Daniel and Urbana Fajardo, his mother-in-law, Adelina Bombach, his brother Enrique (Henry) Fajardo, and his sisters Emma Carrillo and Ester Madrid. Elfego has a long list many other friends and family that have preceded him in death since he lived such a long and fruitful life and probably wishes that we could mention each of them since he loved and appreciated them all. Elfego was born June 2, 1922 in the small town of Rodey, New Mexico. When he was young his family moved to Las Cruces where he attended Las Cruces High School. During World War II he served our country proudly as trained medic in the Army caring for wounded soldiers that returned from the war. Elfego was stationed in Deming, New Mexico where he served most of his tour of duty in the military. He was ready and willing to go to the battlefield, but served where he was needed most. Being so close to home, he was able to visit often and that's when he met his future spouse, Bertha Chavez and married her shortly before being discharged from the military. They proceeded to have four wonderful children thereafter. Elfego and his family made their home in Las Cruces where he worked as a butcher for Food Mart and Piggly Wiggly and (MAX the locker) for most of his career. He was the known as being an excellent butcher and provided well for his family up until his retirement in 1974. Elfego was always family oriented and was surrounded by all of his siblings who also lived in Las Cruces. Even though he had to provide for a large family he did always find the time sing and play the guitar. Elfego loved sit and visit with his friends and contemplate the meaning of life and talk about any topic you can think of. Elfego was a life long democrat and staunch Catholic, however, his family turned out to be an eclectic bunch with many religions and even a couple of Republicans! Even so, love bonded all of them and those differences that usually bring conflict and strife really did not cause that in the Fajardo family! One thing they all got from him was love and a sense of humor, which continues to bind them together! Elfego is survived by 4 children, Mary Grace Cruz and her spouse Tony, Richard Fajardo and his spouse Isabel, Raymond Fajardo and his spouse Viola, and Joe Fred Fajardo all of Las Cruces. He has 5 grandchildren, Peter Cruz and his wife Dina of Las Cruces, Lynda Banfield and her husband Adam of New York City, NY, Dr. Alisha Fajardo of Gilbert, AZ, Daniel Fajardo and his wife Natalie of Gilbert, AZ, and Christina Fajardo of Austin, TX. He has two great grand children, Mila and Orlando Banfield of New York, NY. His surviving sisters are Elsie Rodriguez, Flora Garcia, and Helen Lara, all of Las Cruces. In addition, he has large amount of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly and that all affectionately called him Uncle Al! Funeral Services for Elfego are going to be held on Tuesday March 29, 2016 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church and he will be laid to rest at St. Josephs Cemetery following the services. We also want to thank all the nurses and medical personnel that have assisted the family in the care of him after he suffered his stroke in 2010. The family appreciates all of you very much.