Antonio Sena

Antonio Sena was born in Sena, New Mexico in San Miguel County on February 1, 1936, to Avelino and Rita Sena. Antonio was third born, he had one sister that doted on him from the oldest down to the youngest. He was preceded in death by one infant brother, his parents; Avelino and Rita, his sisters; Eloisa, Ricarda, Piedad, his son Ralph Sena, one granddaughter, one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter.

Antonio is survived by his wife Josie Sena of 66 years, four months, 21 days and three hours. His Sons: Eliseo, Antonio (Tony) Jr.; and daughter: Josephine Yniguez; son-in-law: Phillip and Rosa Gingrich (adopted); four sisters: Emma, Julia, Flora and Tina and their husbands; many nieces and nephews. His three grandsons, seven granddaughters; 12 great-grandsons; six great-granddaughters and two great greatgranddaughters. Antonio and Josie became a five-generational family five years ago.

Antonio had his diploma of eight years education plus a letter of recommendation to continue his school, but he went to work at the age of 14 to help his parents. He started his working era on the crop fields, when he was 17, he worked for the railroads. At 18, he started work, mining in Santa Rita NM and a few mines in that area. He went north to Colorado to Gilman Zinc Mines. In 1959 he came to Grants, NM to work at the Uranium mines. At the time, he had a wife and two baby boys with him. His Sena and Gallegos uncles and cousins helped him find a job. He worked for Kerr McGee Corp and Quivera. Antonio was a union member with Ocaw; he was vice president to Margarito Martinez, as a union rep he helped Mag Martinez in all negotiations and grievances to help the miners with their work rights. They also fought to get the RICA pro- gram started to get help and compensation for the many contaminated maines in Grants. In the Grants N.M. area for he, himself. Was contaminated.

Antonio served as a volunteer Sheriff Deputy for the Cibola County Sheriff Dept from 1982-1993. Antonio worked for the City of Grants water Dept until he was almost 70-years-old, he also worked for Sena Stucco Company part time as needed.

Antonio was my loving husband, the loving father to our children. He gave his family his all and more. We loved him unconditionally as he loved us. Vaya Con Dios, mi Amor. Descansa en paz, daddy, dad, Papa.

The Sena family thanks everyone that helped and cared in our grief. Thank you to his nurse Nicole, so patient with him and helpful to his needs. Thank you to Compassion Mortuary Tom Crow.

Thank you to Chris and Betty and thank you to the choir. A heartfelt thank you to all the uranium miners and their families who attended, called, and acknowledged his family. Josie Sena and family