Arthur Nicholas Tafoya

It is with great sadness that the family of The Most Reverend Bishop Arthur Nicolas Tafoya announce his passing on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the age of 85.

Bishop Tafoya was born in 1933 in Alameda, NM. He attended Alameda Elementary School, St. Mary Catholic School, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe and Conception Seminary in Missouri. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 12, 1962, at the St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe, NM. He served in the parishes of Holy Rosary and San Jose Catholic Churches in Albuquerque, NM. and St. Anthony in Dixon, NM. and was Rector of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe as well as Vicar General to the late Archbishop Robert Sanchez.

On September 10th, 1980, he was ordained to Episcopacy of Bishop of the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, after being bestowed the honor by St. John Paul II. Bishop Tafoya faithfully served the Diocese of Pueblo for 29 years. Upon his retirement, he returned to his roots in Alameda/Albuquerque, NM, where he assisted numerous Catholic parishes of the Santa Fe Archdiocese, especially his home parish of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bishop Tafoya was preceded in death by his parents, Nicolas and Rosita Tafoya; step-mother, Alice Tafoya; brothers, Herman and Leonard; niece, Diana Anaya; and great-nephew, Thomas Wessgar; grandparents, Manuel and Francisquita Tafoya, Frank and Juanita Armijo; step-sister, Lorraine Herrera. Survived by siblings, Rosalie Sandoval (Daniel), Larry (Viola), Priscilla Howard, and Andrew (Kathyrn); sister-in-law, Theresa; step-sisters, Arlene Santillanes, Geraldine Lee, and Lydia Gonzales; 15 nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews; Uncle Arcenio Montoya, Aunt Theresa Armijo, and many other relatives as well as a multitude of friends throughout New Mexico and Colorado. During his illness, Bishop Tafoya was lovingly cared for by his nephew, Daniel “Danny Boy” Sandoval. He completed his mission as Shepherd of the people on earth and joined his loving Father in Heaven.

Friends may visit Tuesday, March 27, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. till a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 9502 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 10:30 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 9502 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. Entombment will take place at a later date in Pueblo, CO.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bishop Tafoya’s name to Pueblo Catholic Charities, 429 West 10th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003.