Edwardo "Louie" Saenz, Jr.

Edwardo "Louie" Saenz, age 68, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, died unexpectedly on Friday, April 23, 2021. Louie was born March 9, 1953 in Tucson, Arizona to Luis and Connie Saenz.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dina; children, Connie Marie (Rafael Gonzales) and Michael "Daniel;" grandchildren, Rafael E., Gabriel, Joey, Aaron, Isabella, and Genesis; his brother, Robert; sisters, Yolanda, Sylvia, and Diane; his beloved aunts, uncles and many cousins.

Louie was a strong man with a big heart. So many people have said the same thing. Connie too could tell you; not only because she is daddy's girl, but because all her life she has known the strong protector she could lean on, and the gentle man she could trust. Rafael is the son-in-law every father dreams of for his little girl. Louie once saw Rafael escort his mother to her seat at church, and he turned to me and said, "I could trust my daughter to marry a young man that can treat his mother like that." From that day forward, Louie had his eye on Rafael for Connie.

His love of fishing and his love for his grandchildren brought him so much happiness when both coincided. Trips to the Jemez Mountains for a day of camping and fishing did just that! At times, when Louie was feeling too tired to do something, all I had to do was to mention the kids, and he would brighten up and get his second wind. When his firstborn grandson, Elian, left for boot camp, you have never seen sadder eyes. But mingled with the pain, you could see the pride in his eyes: for the man his grandson had become.
The day before Louie left, he spent time with Isabella planting onions, eating watermelon, and watching TV. He then picked up Aaron from school, picked up Joey at home, and we took them to dinner. Gabriel wanted to go, but he had to work. At Olive Garden, we were seated by the window that looks across the parking lot to Best Buy, where Gabriel was working. It was comforting to know that his Gabriel was nearby. How were we to know that it would be his last dinner with his grandkids? And little did they know that they were to spend the last quality moments with their beloved Tata here on earth.

At a very early age, Louie began to work in Construction, and continued in that trade for most of his life. His later years, however, brought him much success as a Realtor for KB Homes, where he won many awards. He later worked as a Prison Guard for Sandoval County in New Mexico, and during his last six years, he drove a semi-truck for Rudy & Bernadette Gutierrez, whom he considered dear friends, almost like family. On Friday, the 23rd, he was on his way out of the Yard, and as usual, had just locked the gate. He entered the cab and turned on the ignition. And that is when the Lord said, "Time to go, Son."

Luis, Sr. instilled in his sons a good work ethic, and true to form, Louie Jr. died with his hand on the plow.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. at Legacy Church East, 4701 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque. Burial will follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Road, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.