John Maito

John Francis Maito passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025 at the age of 90 in Albuquerque, NM. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of 47 years; his brother, Tony Lucero (Sara); his cousin, Carmen Chavez; his sons John Maito and Mark Maito (Lawaynne); his daughters Jennifer Garcia (Tony), Connie Lopez (Joe), and Stephanie Whitley(Jeff); nieces and nephews, 20 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Concha and Garo Maito; his brother, Gabriel Maito, and Gabriel's wife, Rose; his son, Gabriel Maito; and his granddaughter, Monique Maito.

He was born in Prescott, Arizona on July 3, 1935 to Concha and Garo Maito and moved to Albuquerque when he was 7 years old. He served as an altar boy at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for 5 years and attended school there for 7 years. He lived his life with love for God and the Catholic Church and raised his family to do the same.

He attended Catholic seminary at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Santa Fe for 4 years but ultimately discerned God was not calling him to be a priest. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in Albuquerque and then joined the Marine Corps Reserve for 9 years. He worked many years in the grocery business, including Smiling Foods and Piggly Wiggly. With generous assistance from Paul Farone, he was able to attend UNM School of Pharmacy and graduated in 1969. He worked at Five Points Drug for 10 years during which time he met his wife, Marilyn, who knew he was the one from the moment she met him. He worked at UNMH pharmacy for 21 years and retired in 1997 but continued working part time for many more years. He worked hard to provide for all of his family who lacked for nothing.

He was a long time parishioner of Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church and served as a sacristan and as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He also served with the Marianites in visiting the sick and homebound.

He was a talented artist and craftsman and filled his home with oil paintings and handcrafted furniture. He loved his family with all his heart and prayed daily for them.

He was loved by all those who knew him and will be dearly missed. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.