Benses Margarito Salazar was born February 22, 1940, to Aurelio and Sara Salazar from San Mateo, New Mexico and passed away October 12, 2021.
Rosary and Mass will be held Friday November 12, 2021, 9:30am at San Mateo Catholic Church. Interment will follow at San Mateo Cemetery.
Reception will be held at the La Ventana in Grants after the services. Benses was born in Gallup, New Mexico then moved to San Mateo as a child.
Benses loved his time in San Mateo. Benses served in the Army Reserve before moving to San Manuel, Arizona where he spent over 30 years working at the San Manuel Copper Mine. After his career in the mining industry, he returned to New Mexico where he lived out his life. Benses was an avid Dallas Cowboy and Arizona Wildcats fan. He loved to dance and always enjoyed pulling pranks. Benses was always willing to offer a helping hand whether you wanted it or not.
He is survived by his children: Margret Wilson (Keith), Cindy Salazar (George); Sons: Lou Salazar, Leonard Salazar (Jeana), Steven Salazar, Tim Salazar. 14 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren; brother Ernie Salazar; sisters Barbara Jones, Florence Kessler, Mary Jane Lueras and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert Salazar and Aurelio Salazar Jr.