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Ernesto “Ernie” Nuñez Rodriguez was born on Nov. 7, 1921 in Mammoth, Ariz. and passed away on Jan. 3, 2015 at the age of 93 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Growing up in Sombrero Butte nestled in the Galiuro Mountains, Ernie had an undying love for the great outdoors. Picking up the guitar at age seven, Ernie would play on the road, at home, at festive parties and strum a last song one week before his death.
To many of us, Ernesto was a man driven by his values of hard work, responsibility, service, family and community. He was inducted into the Army on Dec. 17, 1942 serving as a Flight Engineer in North Africa and Iran earning both a Victory and Good Conduct medals and was honorably discharged on March 1, 1946. Ernesto proudly worked 32 years for Magma Copper Company and retired as section foreman in 1982. Giving back to his community, Ernie volunteered at the University of Arizona Medical Center interpreting Spanish for patients so they could receive quality care. While living in Arizona, he served as the choir director for the Santa Catalina Mission. But Ernie’s greatest accomplishment was his family, especially his unfaltering love to his wife of 66 years, Hortensia and their three children: Ernie, Rachel and Patricia. Everything Ernesto did was so he could be the best provider for his friends and family. Coming from very little he provided a blank music score for others to make their own song. He led by example, living life by his own code, never wavering and never taking a shortcut.
Ernesto will fondly be remembered for his storytelling, sharing his adventures of faraway places and tales back at home so that others could learn about him and maybe a little about themselves. Ernesto made it a priority to always be surrounded by loved ones, something that he never faltered in doing even unto his death. He was preceded in death by his mother Carmen Nuñez, his father Victor Rodriguez, and five siblings. Ernesto is survived by his wife, three children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild. He will be missed dearly.
All services for Ernesto will be held at Santa Catalina Parish in Catalina, Ariz. Viewing was held on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 7-8 p.m. The rosary followed at 8 p.m. The mass was conducted Friday, Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m. Graveside services followed the mass at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Desert Sunset Catalina, 520-818-0038, www.desertsunsetfuneralhome.com.
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