The Passing of a Remarkable Man
Abe Gallegos, age 102, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023 in Plano, Texas in the loving care of his eldest daughter Geri Gallegos-McVeigh and her husband Bruce McVeigh. He was born to Fidel, (1894-1971) and Octavinana, (1901-1993) Gallegos on May 29, 1921 in the small rural community of Vallecitos located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
No stranger to a lifetime of hard work, as a young boy he herded sheep on the open range and as a young man, during the Great Depression he cut timber in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC Camps) in New Mexico. After serving briefly in the United States Army he went on to work at the Climax Mine Smelter in Leadville, Colorado and in the pursuit of a better life, he moved his family to Ely, Nevada where in 1957, he built his home at 819 Avenue D.
Abe loved the Ely community and always marveled at the majestic beauty of the surrounding area. He worked for Kennecott in the open pit copper mine in Ruth, Nevada until his retirement in 1983. He lived at his home on Avenue D from 1957 until 2019 when due to his declining health, he moved to Plano, Texas.
Abe was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Maria Avelina Gallegos, (1917-2002) and his son Rudy Gallegos, (1943-2021) and brothers Lesardo, Filimon, Orlando, Jose, and sisters Candi Wiggenton, Molly Hettich, Mary Harroun, Helen Lujan, Geraldine Gallegos. He is survived by his sister Dora Crespin of McGill, Nevada, his son Leroy who lives in Sparks, Nevada and daughters: Geri McVeigh {Bruce} who live in Plano, Texas, Irene Davis {Tracy} who live in Madison, Alabama, Gloria {Michael} Allen who live in Dana Point, California, Kathy Clifford who lives in Reno, Nevada. He also leaves behind many adoring grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1101 Avenue I on November 14th at 10:00 am with burial following immediately at the Ely Cemetery 1900-1998 Campton Street. Following the burial, please join the family for a Funeral Reception luncheon which will be served by The Women of Sacred Heart at 1101 Avenue I, Ely, Nevada.
The family will forever be grateful to Hospice of Plano, TX and the wonderful Doctors, Nurses and Health Aids that cared for Abe during his final days and to Father Garrett Bockman of All Saints Catholic Church, Dallas, Texas for giving Abe the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Communion and the Last Rites.