Jess Eugene Fonseca

Jess Eugene Fonseca

Fonseca was born Aug. 25, 1955 in Eads, Colorado, to Jess Jerome Fonseca and Vivian Woodard. He died peacefully May 31, 2023, at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 67.

Fonseca grew up in Kansas and in California. To his cousins there, he was “Gene,” the surf city boy, smart, good looking and had a great smile.

To the family he built with his wife, Vivian, he was the guy who took direction from no one and had high expectations of everyone. He heaped praise on his children’s accomplishments, telling them “You’re doing all the good in the world.”

He loved piddling in his yard, marveling at his fruit trees, and planting green chile, corn and melons. He drove his grandchildren around the yard in his tractor for “Papa’s hay rides” during Halloween Trunk or Treat and, generally, was a good sport for Christmas games.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and swimming in the ocean and wanted everyone to share in that joy. He struck up conversations with wait staff at restaurants, health care workers, people at the DMV, neighbors and strangers, often making friends.

He described himself best in his own resume: expert relationship builder. He worked decades in construction jobs as a welder, and a heavy equipment and highrise tower crane operator. He taught related courses.

For several years, he worked at McKinley Paper Co. in Prewitt before going back to construction. He retired from Aleut Management Services, LLC., where he was a project manager overseeing the maintenance of federal buildings and, later, a consultant.

Most recently, he ran a small shipping business, Fonseca Freight. Fonseca is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Vivian, four children _ Jess Fonseca (Carissa Fonseca), Laurie Fonseca (TJ York), Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez (Raúl Chávez) and Felicia Fonseca (Sky Yazzie), his siblings Kathy Fonseca and Tom “Bones” Cruz (Bernadette Cruz), and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Max Cruz and his daughter Leticia Fonseca.

Visitation and a Rosary are scheduled Friday, June 9, 2023, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Gabaldon Mortuary, 1100 Old Coors Dr. in Albuquerque. Mass will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 562 Atrisco Dr. in Albuquerque. A reception will follow. Bring your own bug spray.