Gilbert Alexander Bernal

Gilbert Alexander Bernal beloved husband, father, grandfather was called home to our Lords's house on December 2, 2024. His wife Stella Quinones Bernal and his son George Bernal were at his bedside.
Gilbert was born on March 13, 1937 to Gilbert Juan Bernal and Enriqueta Chavira de Bernal in Los Angeles California. He was the second of three children. He is preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, his younger brother Jorge, his brother-in-law Angel Quinones Jr. and his brother-in-law Jim Stefanski. He is survived by his wife Stella Quinones Bernal, his sister Carrie Stefanski and his younger brother John Bernal Serrano (Cecelia).
Gilbert served in the position of Air Police in the United States Air force, was the Town Marshal of Tularosa NM, a Las Cruces Police Officer, a NMSU Police Officer and a New Mexico State Police Officer. He also Worked Security at the Mesilla Valley Mall. In his later years he continued to serve his community as a crossing guard, ensuring that elementary children had a safe passage to school.
Gilbert loved to dance and enjoyed a variety of music; from Jorge Negrete to smooth jazz. He and his wife Stella met at the Las Cruces Senior Amigos, and he was always in the front row supporting her dance group Las Perlitas.
He is survived by his four children from a previous marriage to Florinda VanBuskirk. His children are: Gilbert Bernal Jr. (Kathleen), Lori Cordova (John Williams), Diana Cordova Elliott (Brad Elliott) and George Bernal (Andrea). As well as his step children; Ismael Torres (Lori), Efren Torres and Samantha Linney (Danny) all from Albuquerque. He has nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren as well as four grand step children from Stella's side of the family. He will also be remembered and missed by numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, six sisters-in-laws and two brothers-in-laws and friends.
After being a bachelorette for many years, Stella says it was her cat who first fell in love with her beloved Gilbert; he became a cat lover. "We shared a background in Criminal Justice as well as our birthday month of March and we both loved all types of music and dance."
Visitation will be at 5:30 pm followed by the Rosary at 7:00 pm and the Eulogy on Thursday January 9, 2025 at Perches LaPaz Funeral Home at 555 W Amador. Gilbert's funeral mass will at Basilica of San Albino in Mesilla, NM on Friday January 10, 2025 at 11:00 am followed by Burial at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery.
Gilbert's family would like to give a special heartfelt thanks to the staff of Casa Bella and to Mesilla Valley Hospice.