1946
Freddie Chavez
2024
Freddie Chavez
July 16, 1946 — April 27, 2024
On April 27th, 2024, Freddie Chavez, age 76 passed away peacefully at his home. He was a much loved, lifelong resident of Albuquerque. Most notably, as a 1965 graduate of Rio Grande High School (RGHS), he was, no doubt, the proudest Raven ever! Freddie is survived by his brother, Miguel Chavez, sisters, Maria Serros and Linda Chavez, cousin, Ray Baca, and good friend, Rosita Pacheco, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by five significant Raven friends, Floyd Garcia (his best friend), Dr. Teresa Brito- Asenap, John Battaglia, Lucille Lujan-Arias, and Charlie Velasquez. Freddie was preceded in death by his parents, Federico and Dulcinea Chaves, and sister, Georgia Becerra. Freddie served in the Army as a Field Wireman. He was honorably discharged in 1968. Freddie loved sports. In high school he was the manager of the RGHS baseball team. He so enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees play. As an unsurpassed loyal RGHS alumni, Freddie continued his friendship with many, many of his Raven friends. In 2014, he started a monthly Raven breakfast at Lollie’s Restaurant. The tradition he started continues even today on the 1st Friday of the month at Little Anita's. To honor him, his fellow Ravens presented him with a plaque declaring him “Chairman of the Board” in gratitude for his efforts to keep the 1965 class together. He was also responsible for making sure that Mr. Gilbert Miranda, who was the RGHS Principal and Freddie's friend, attended the breakfast until Mr. Miranda passed away in 2020. Many former teachers also attended. Freddie Chavez will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Following are some thoughts from some of his family and friends, that best say how
wonderful Freddie was:
● “I will always remember my brother as waking up every day and
leaving to go see his friends, and, how he loved all sports, always
watching games on tv.” (Linda Chavez)
● “I will miss our everyday morning breakfasts and ALL our phone calls
during the day, Hermano….” (Floyd Garcia)
● “Mr. Miranda, our RGHS Principal, who regularly attended our Raven
breakfasts, often spoke of the ‘unconditional love and respect’ our
group had for one another. Without Freddie, we might have never
known that - your love was unconditional and with respect. Like your
life Amigo, it was yet another gift you gave us. You are forever in my
gratitude.” (Teresa Brito-Asenap)
● “Forever my friend, forever in my heart.” (Lucille [Lujan] Arias)
● “Freddie Brown, as I always called him, always had a smile and
responded back to me ‘Charlie Brown, que paso Bro.’, kind and
giving with his smile is who Freddie was.” (Charlie Velasquez)
● “Freddie was a good friend in high school and we remained good
friends for the past 60 years. I've never seen anybody who was so
proud to be a Raven and his enthusiastic pride was contagious! Rest
in peace my friend, God be with you.” (John Battaglia)
● “Freddie always treated me and others with kindness. When he called
me his friend, he meant it.” (Doreena [Mayer] Valdez)
● “Caring, generous, and we liked being around him. He had a happy
smile. He was a genuine person. (Kate [Margaret Saavedra] and Joe
Ortiz)
● “I will always remember Freddie as he would always ask ‘how are
you’ with a smile, and did not ever lament about what might be
bothering him - always concerned about the other guy. That's a
quality I wish I had and will never forget that”. (Tom Anzures)
● Freddie Chavez was a great friend and classmate! A great and hard-
working person and will be greatly missed.” (Mike Walker)
● “I remember how funny and happy he was. Always had a smile on his
face. A very positive person - he was always a joy to be around.
(Gene Victor)
● “Freddie was so giving. He didn't have much income but would give
the shirt off his back. His love and heart-warming welcome will always
be in my heart. Love you, Freddie. May you now be looking down at
your fellow Ravens, friends, and family.” (Ruby [Garcia] Macias)
● Very humble and simpatico.” (Helen [Montoya] Salazar)
● “Freddie had the best smile. When he saw you out and about, his
face would light up followed by a genuine hug.” (Gina Paiz-Yaker)
● “Wonderful friend since 7th grade.” (Mary Jane Valdez)
● “Freddie was so proud to be a Raven and made our RGHS
breakfasts times so special by getting us together and giving us gifts.
He will be missed.” (Mary [Gonzales] Rivas)
● “I think we owe a debt of gratitude to Freddie C. for being such an
enthusiastic promoter and organizer of the monthly breakfasts for the
RGHS class of ‘65. The highlight of which was the attendance of our
former Principal, Mr. Gilbert Miranda.” (Art Simoni)
● “Freddie was humble and kind.” (Clorinda [Rael] Perez)
● “While at Ernie Pyle, Freddie attended every football game. I will
always remember that if it was an away game he'd call and say
‘¿Oye Joseph,como fuel el juego?’ (Joseph [Saudie] Maez)
● “I will remember Freddie's smile when asked ‘friend, what have you
been up to?’.” (Andie [Salas] Blea)
● “He was a very gentle natured, sweet, and kind man…very
honest…never had a bad word to say about anyone and always
appreciative…”. (Margaret [Lopez] Coplen)
On May 28, 2024, a Rosary and funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Church. Fr. Robert Bustamante, Parochial Vicar, will be the presider. Internment will be at 1:30 PM at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe. The Urn bearers will be Linda Chavez, Victoria R. Chavez, and Rosita Pacheco, escorted by the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard #3732. The honorary pallbearers are Floyd Garcia, Teresa Brito-Asenap, Lucille Lujan-Arias, John Battaglia, and Charlie Velasquez. The Mass will be sung by long-time friend, Kathleen Chaves.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their many kindnesses…
wonderful Freddie was:
● “I will always remember my brother as waking up every day and
leaving to go see his friends, and, how he loved all sports, always
watching games on tv.” (Linda Chavez)
● “I will miss our everyday morning breakfasts and ALL our phone calls
during the day, Hermano….” (Floyd Garcia)
● “Mr. Miranda, our RGHS Principal, who regularly attended our Raven
breakfasts, often spoke of the ‘unconditional love and respect’ our
group had for one another. Without Freddie, we might have never
known that - your love was unconditional and with respect. Like your
life Amigo, it was yet another gift you gave us. You are forever in my
gratitude.” (Teresa Brito-Asenap)
● “Forever my friend, forever in my heart.” (Lucille [Lujan] Arias)
● “Freddie Brown, as I always called him, always had a smile and
responded back to me ‘Charlie Brown, que paso Bro.’, kind and
giving with his smile is who Freddie was.” (Charlie Velasquez)
● “Freddie was a good friend in high school and we remained good
friends for the past 60 years. I've never seen anybody who was so
proud to be a Raven and his enthusiastic pride was contagious! Rest
in peace my friend, God be with you.” (John Battaglia)
● “Freddie always treated me and others with kindness. When he called
me his friend, he meant it.” (Doreena [Mayer] Valdez)
● “Caring, generous, and we liked being around him. He had a happy
smile. He was a genuine person. (Kate [Margaret Saavedra] and Joe
Ortiz)
● “I will always remember Freddie as he would always ask ‘how are
you’ with a smile, and did not ever lament about what might be
bothering him - always concerned about the other guy. That's a
quality I wish I had and will never forget that”. (Tom Anzures)
● Freddie Chavez was a great friend and classmate! A great and hard-
working person and will be greatly missed.” (Mike Walker)
● “I remember how funny and happy he was. Always had a smile on his
face. A very positive person - he was always a joy to be around.
(Gene Victor)
● “Freddie was so giving. He didn't have much income but would give
the shirt off his back. His love and heart-warming welcome will always
be in my heart. Love you, Freddie. May you now be looking down at
your fellow Ravens, friends, and family.” (Ruby [Garcia] Macias)
● Very humble and simpatico.” (Helen [Montoya] Salazar)
● “Freddie had the best smile. When he saw you out and about, his
face would light up followed by a genuine hug.” (Gina Paiz-Yaker)
● “Wonderful friend since 7th grade.” (Mary Jane Valdez)
● “Freddie was so proud to be a Raven and made our RGHS
breakfasts times so special by getting us together and giving us gifts.
He will be missed.” (Mary [Gonzales] Rivas)
● “I think we owe a debt of gratitude to Freddie C. for being such an
enthusiastic promoter and organizer of the monthly breakfasts for the
RGHS class of ‘65. The highlight of which was the attendance of our
former Principal, Mr. Gilbert Miranda.” (Art Simoni)
● “Freddie was humble and kind.” (Clorinda [Rael] Perez)
● “While at Ernie Pyle, Freddie attended every football game. I will
always remember that if it was an away game he'd call and say
‘¿Oye Joseph,como fuel el juego?’ (Joseph [Saudie] Maez)
● “I will remember Freddie's smile when asked ‘friend, what have you
been up to?’.” (Andie [Salas] Blea)
● “He was a very gentle natured, sweet, and kind man…very
honest…never had a bad word to say about anyone and always
appreciative…”. (Margaret [Lopez] Coplen)
On May 28, 2024, a Rosary and funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Church. Fr. Robert Bustamante, Parochial Vicar, will be the presider. Internment will be at 1:30 PM at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe. The Urn bearers will be Linda Chavez, Victoria R. Chavez, and Rosita Pacheco, escorted by the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard #3732. The honorary pallbearers are Floyd Garcia, Teresa Brito-Asenap, Lucille Lujan-Arias, John Battaglia, and Charlie Velasquez. The Mass will be sung by long-time friend, Kathleen Chaves.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their many kindnesses…
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Freddie Chavez, please visit our flower store.
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