Reinaldo Ray Baca

Reinaldo Ray Baca, 97, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024, in the presence of his family.

Ray was born on October 23, 1926, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Pablo and Felicitas Baca. In 1943 he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Ray saw combat and was wounded while fighting in the South Pacific Theater. After the war, he joined the Albuquerque Police Department. While with the APD, Ray was the first Hispanic and youngest ever officer to make Lieutenant at that time. He also served in the early 60's with the U.S. Agency for International Development, stationed in Brazil. Upon his return to the USA, Ray entered a career as a public servant, ultimately serving as Director of the Albuquerque Data Operations Center of the Social Security Administration. He has had 26 years of Federal service including Director of the Regional Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and is a former Albuquerque City Council Chairman where his role was that of "Mayor" just before Albuquerque went to a mayoral system. He also served as Director of Public Safety for both the City of Albuquerque, and the City of Las Cruces, overseeing both the Police and Fire Departments. He retired in 1996 with the reputation as one of the city's and state's most likeable, positive, and effective public servants of the 20th century.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Pablo and Felicitas Baca; brothers, Nash, Leo, Gumecindo, Ralph, and Joe; and sisters, Josie and Flora. He is survived by his sister, Mary Camillo; his wife of 72 years, Lorraine Archibeque Baca; daughter, Gloria McNiel (husband David), of Morehead City, NC; son, Dan (wife Liz); six grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 2, 2024, 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Please enter the church from the San Ysidro entrance on the East side of the Parish as construction is underway at the Griegos Rd. entrance.