Andrew C. Rocha

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Andrew C. Rocha, 73, known to family and friends as BIG Rocha and Pops to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren passed away peacefully in Albuquerque, NM on Wednesday September 27, 2023.

Andrew was born October 23, 1949, to Braulio and Otillia “Tillie” Rocha.  He was a 1968 graduate of Alamogordo High School.  After graduating high school, he joined the Air Force and retired after 22 years of service.  He began his career in the Air Force in Aircraft Maintenance and served one Temporary Duty assignment at Clark AFB in the Philippines during Vietnam.  His last 12 years of service, he was a recruiter in El Paso, TX, Carlsbad, and Roswell, NM.  After he retired, he moved to Albuquerque to help take care of his grandchildren, Eric, Marc, Max JR, and Juliana.

He married Elva Pena prior to leaving for basic training.  Although they divorced, they remained in each other’s lives co-parenting their children Andrew JR and Deanna and remained close to each other’s families.

He was preceded in death by his parents Braulio and Otillia, sister Mary and brother Manuel.  He is survived by his son Andrew JR, daughter Deanna and husband Larry, grandchildren, Dannielle, Eric, Andrew III, Marc, Max JR, Juliana, Jannelle and Amadeus and 12 great grandchildren, former wife and mother of his children, Elva, brothers Tim (Goya) and Sammy (Yvette), Sisters Helen, Lorraine, and Margie (Poncho), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Andrew started each day, 0530 hours, by reading the newspaper and drinking a glass of Creamland milk and watched his morning game shows.  He enjoyed cooking for his family and friends, watching sports (he loved October baseball) and wanted to spend every minute he could with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.  He was known to end the conversation with the phrase “Later Dayz.”  From your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, “Later Dayz, Pops, we love you.”

Pallbearers will be nephews, Anthony Rocha, James Gonzales, Daniel Garcia, Manny Gonzales, Beto Gonzales, and Jesus Diaz. Honorary Pallbearers are great grandchildren, Izaac Richmann, Kasia Selph, Malificent Arya Lujan, and Ezykiel “Lorenzo” Zambrano.

Visitation will be Friday, October 13, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Denton -Wood Funeral Home.  Funeral Service will take place at Denton-Wood on Saturday, October 14, at 10:00 AM.  Interment will take place at the Carlsbad Cemetery.