Criseldo Pacheco

Criseldo F. Pacheco passed away at Mercy Medical Center on Friday October 22, 2021, he was 99.

Criseldo F. Pacheco was born on September 20, 1922 in Blanco, NM to Manuel and Adelina Pacheco. In 1943 he married Liva Madrid and they started a family. Criseldo was drafted into the Army in June 1944. He was sent to the South Pacific and assigned to the Army’s 7th Division. He fought on the Philippine Island of Leyte and on the Japanese Island of Okinawa. In Okinawa Criseldo suffered wounds in combat that earned him a Purple Heart. Later on Criseldo would often say he had no idea how he survived Okinawa. After the Japanese surrender, the next step was Korea where he patrolled the 38th parallel. Criseldo was honorably discharged in January 1946.

In the early 1950’s Criseldo and his wife, Liva moved to a ranch in Tiffany, Colorado. This would be there lifelong home and where they raised a family of 6. He worked the ranch, raising sheep and cattle.

Criseldo and Liva were long time members and supporters of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. The Pacheco family donated money to the construction of the new Mercy Hospital. The bench at the bus stop in the front of Mercy is dedicated to Criseldo and Liva. Criseldo was also a member of the American Legion Post in Ignacio. He served on various boards and councils involving agriculture and was the original investor in the Basin Co-op in Durango.

Criseldo was preceded in death by his wife Liva of 71 years, his parents and all his siblings.

He is survived by his six children: Thomas (Beatrice); Ernest (Rose); Ralph (Patty); Criseldo, Jr. (Tina); Timothy (Dolores); Christina (Scott); 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 9am on Friday, October 29, 2021 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church and Mass of Christian Burial at 10am also on Friday, with burial to follow services at Allison-Tiffany Cemetery.

For those who cannot attend services, it will be available to watch on YouTube.