Alfredo Chavez Montoya

Feisty and filled with a joy for life until the end, he was surrounded by his family who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Benito and Adelina Chavez Montoya, brother Paul Montoya, grandson Douglas Allen Friberg and great-grandson Sean Andrew Friberg. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Virginia Davis Montoya; children Carlita Costello, Marci Friberg (Charlie), Anita Montoya-Hollands, Joseph Montoya (Lydia), Louise Reza (Louie); grandchildren Jean Adel Figueroa, Jennifer Dawn Willis, Michael Charles Friberg, Andrew Davis Friberg, Jonathan David Friberg, Charles Jonathan Costello, Karla Neiman, Daniela Pierce, Joseph Montoya (Joey), Courtney Loscavio, Louie Reza Jr., David Mark Reza and 32 great-grandchildren.

From a man who grew up feeling disenfranchised in Silver City, N.M., Alfredo Chavez Montoya became a man devoted to empowering others. During World War II he worked for the Bracero Program. Focusing on the rights of Spanish-speaking people, he became a union organizer, an international representative with the Steelworkers of America and he served as Vice President of the Texas AFL-CIO. Upon his retirement from the Steelworkers, he became the longest serving Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement in Washington, D.C.

His final years were devoted to his wife and family during which he often shared his compassion for the underdog. At a high school football game, he stood to cheer the opposing team as it finally made a touchdown. Sitting down, he faced his embarrassed daughters and said, "Mijitas, you have to root for the underdog. The others are doing fine. The underdog needs your support."

His personal papers are housed at the University of New Mexico where a class based on them is taught. Public visitation will be held from 6-9pm with a Celebration of Life to begin at 7pm, Friday, December 11, 2015 at F.D.A. Martin-East 1460 George Dieter Funeral Mass: 9:30am Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 8600 Winchester Street. Private interment: Services entrusted to F.D.A. Martin East, 1460 George Dieter Dr. www.funerariasdelangel.com/martin-east