Gilbert Eloy Alires

Gilbert Eloy Alires, 89 years old, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 4, 2020. Gilbert was born January 17, 1931 in Leadville, Colorado to Eloy and Eloisa Alires and where he attended Catholic school as a boy. Gilbert was one of seventeen siblings that made him resourceful and selfsufficient.

Gilbert enlisted in the Army on October 11, 1951 at age 20 and served in the Korean War as a Military Policeman participating in prisoner exchange at the end of the war taking him into North Korea. He was awarded the Korean Services Medal, United Nations Service Medal, ROK Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Services Medal and honorably discharged. Upon returning home, Gilbert began working in the mines and met the love of his life in Red Cliff, the former Josephine Rodriguez, that began their life-long romance and were married on November 7, 1954 for 66 years. Being a mine worker took Gilbert and Josephine from Leadville to Butte, Montana and finally to Grants, NM. where they lived for 60 years. Gilbert was a committed and dedicated worker who continued his military service with the New Mexico National Guard earning a pension. After the mines closed, Gilbert worked in Albuquerque for the State of New Mexico in building maintenance until retirement. But not for long, as Gilbert continued to work part time as a maintenance man at the women’s prison in Grants that paid for his new golf hobby. Gilbert was a self-taught golfer with an uncanny ability to sink putts from anywhere on the green or hit a hole in one having three. He was known to say “I’ve got four but can only count three cause there were no witnesses on the fourth” to his buddies at the golf course that he so much enjoyed being with while having a beer and telling a joke.

Gilbert was a devoted husband to his wife Josephine, equally committed to him, his five children, and his Catholic faith as a member of St. Teresa of Avila parish. He was always there with a helping hand as his love was unconditional. He never met a stranger as he made friends wherever he went and was quick with a joke. He was a country western music fan and an agile dancer. He was also an avid sports fan of many sports but primarily baseball that he loved so much and shared with his sons.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his mother, Eloisa; father, Eloy; brothers, Alex, Charlie, Louis, and Dennis; sisters, Verna, Berlin, and Gladys.

Gilbert was survived by the love of his life, wife Josephine; sons, Norman (Ramona), Melvin (Karen); daughters, Gwen (Mike), Shelli (Andrew), and Sharon (Larry); nine grandchildren, Andrea (Patrick), Marco (Leah), Nicole (Matt), Brandie (Chris), Justine, Aaron, Alek, Brian, and Jaclyn; seven great grandchildren, Reid, Ryan, Reanna, Madison, Michael, Cameron, and Mason; one great-great grandchild, Aziah; siblings, Andy, Lily, Bobby, Felix, Arthur, Max, Glo-ria, Margie, and Mary; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Gilbert had many friends, and we are grateful for their friendship and helping hand in his later years.

Our family was blessed by his presence and example. Although he will be missed, Gilbert will live on through us as we share the joys, strengths, and values he instilled in all of us.

Gilbert will be interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque at a later date, due to Covid 19, when all of his loved ones are able to gather safely. Please visit our online guestbook for Gilbert at www.FrenchFunerals.com