Orlando Sanchez Robles

Orlando S. Robles, age 91, a life-long resident of Albuquerque, passed peacefully at home with his family at his side on Saturday, March 24, 2018.

He is survived by his wife, Trancy; children, Yolanda Smelser and husband, John, Diane Lucero and husband, Mark, Debbie Turiciano and husband, Joe, Theresa McIlrath, Anthony Robles and wife, Terry, Cindy Robles and husband, Dan Romero, Evie Robles-McIlrath and husband, Rick, JoAnna Smith and husband, Ronald, and Dawn Ciurczak and husband, Pete; grandchildren, Ian, Heather, and Jennifer Smelser, Gabriel Mark Lucero Jr., Stephen Lucero, and Amy Reiter, Angelo and Sam Turiciano, Sheree and Shannon, Erin and Erica, Michelle Montoya, Anthony, Jr. and Tiffany Lucero, Melonie Reiter and Nathan Stephenson, Lily Robles, Cheyenne McIlrath, and Tiffany Paleo, Ronald Smith, and AdriAnna Smith, and Zachary and Noah Ciurczak; 40 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Romana Gonzales; and numerous other relatives and friends. Orlando was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Robles; and parents, Felipe and Bersabe Robles; brothers, Manuel, Joseph, Phillip, and Tomas Robles.

He was born in 1927 in Albuquerque and attended Albuquerque High before joining the United States Army at the age of 17 where he proudly served during WWII, including two weeks right after the bomb was dropped in Nagasaki, Japan. After his return to Albuquerque he joined the Albuquerque Fire Department in 1957. He retired in 1978. Orlando was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a life time member of Queen of Heaven Parish. He loved life. Orlando was a devoted husband, loving father, and devoted grandfather and brother and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A special thanks for the care and love shown to our father and family to Alliance Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care.

Friends may visit one hour prior to the Rosary recited Tuesday, March 27, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Ian, Gabriel Jr., Stephen, Angelo, Sam, Anthony Jr., Nathan, Ronald, Zachary and Noah. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Orlando's name to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.