TAFOYA, Cruz Sais

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona 01/15/2010 Cruz Sais Tafoya, 83, died Jan. 11, 2010, at his residence in Vernon. He was born May 3, 1926, in Aragon, N.M., to Pablo and Eusfracia Tafoya. Cruz retired in 1988 from the City of Phoenix. He was a loving father and grandfather. He bred and raised horses and loved family get-togethers and making sopapillas. Cruz is survived by Teresa Tarrants; sons Rayes, Robert, Anthony and Vidal; daughters Violet Williams, Betty Hurst, Joann Tafoya and Mary Lou Tafoya; brothers Berny Tafoya, Ben Cabrera, Tom Cabrera and Jimmy Cabrera; sisters Pauline Tafoya, Flora Castillo, Gloria Ponce De Leon, Ventura Mata, Maryann Mada and Julia Cabrera; 21 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Mary Jane Tafoya. Rosary will be held Friday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, Middle Frisco in Reserve, N.M. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. also at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Middle Frisco Cemetery, Middle Frisco in Reserve, N.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, PO Box 1779, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0139. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit burnhammortuary.com.