Israel Alaniz

Israel Alaniz, affectionately known by most as "Lito," went to join the Lord on November 12th, 2025, at the age of 86. He is welcomed into heaven by his mother, Vera, and his sister, Cecilia. Lito lived a full and rich life dedicated to his woodwork, tinwork, and his passion for sports.

Born on February 23rd, 1939, Lito was raised in Artesia, New Mexico. After graduating, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. Though trained as an Army Mortarman, he worked on radios during his service that mainly saw him stationed in Texas, with a memorable stint in Georgia during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Following his discharge, Lito made Albuquerque his home for most of his life. His professional career spanned many years working for Pepsi and various other vending machine companies. He was a familiar and friendly face to countless people, particularly the "girls" at UNM, who affectionately nicknamed him "the Candyman." A testament to his reliability, he held security clearance to make deliveries on both KAFB and Sandia Base. He took great pride in his exceptional driving skills, often boasting about his masterful use of mirrors that allowed him to maneuver his truck into any tight delivery space.

In his "retirement," Lito continued to work, demonstrating his unparalleled knowledge of the city. He often said that knowledge was the reason he was hired as a Laboratory Courier for TriCore of NM, driving all across Albuquerque. His second "retirement" joy was working for the Albuquerque Isotopes, where he forged many lasting friendships with both co-workers and the loyal ballpark patrons.

Beyond his work, Lito was known for his almost daily ritual of dining out. He was a regular at his favorite local spots, which included Applebee's, Chili's, Cracker Barrel, Weck's, and Los Compadres, among many others. He enjoyed familiar faces and friendly banter with the restaurant staff. He was well liked by the staff even with his customary $1 tip.

Lito's most enduring passion was sports. He was an avid follower of New Mexico High School sports—diligently reading the newspaper daily to keep up with results from across the state

His home was rarely without the vibrant, clear sound of a game playing on the television. He was a fervent professional sports enthusiast, but the UNM Lobos held a special place in his heart. For decades, he rode the exhilarating rollercoaster of Lobo Athletics, particularly football and basketball, while also keeping tabs on many other Lobo teams.

Lito is survived by his devoted niece and nephews: Lisa, Tom, Jim, Bertha and Madlyn great-nieces and nephews: Sara, Teresa, Sergio, Matthew, Adrianna, Ryan, Alissa and Costa as well as his great-great-nephew and nieces: Carson, Kate, and Dina.

A graveside service will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (7999 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109) at approximately 12:00 PM, immediately following the laying to rest of his sister. He will be interred near his beloved mother and sister.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring and compassionate professionals at

Trujillo Family Funeral Home

"our Family Serving Yours"