Johnny Block, Jr.

John Block, Jr. age 85 of Santa Fe passed away peacefully at home, with members of his family by his side, on Sunday December 18th. He was the founder of Blocks Mortuaries in both Espanola and Santa Fe, a household name that became known for providing excellent service and compassionate care to families experiencing the death of a loved one.

He served as mayor of the city of Espanola from 1948 - 1952, was a New Mexico Corporation Commissioner from 1952-1962, Director of the NM Construction Industries, and was proud of his military service in WWII in the United States Navy and in the Korean conflict in the United States Army.  John was also very active in many other civic and community endeavors.  John was a longtime resident of Santa Fe, businessman, politician, much loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend.

John was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, John and Sophia Block and his birth parents J. Ramon and Frances DeSalas Salazar; brothers Orlando, Tim and Ramon Salazar; Sister Jane Block Gallegos; Sons John and Jimmy Block and Mother-in-law Ricarda G. Luna (Mama Lu).

He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Eloisa Luna Block and his children: Joseph and Dina, Jerome and wife Patsy, Jackie and Liz, Jeff and wife Kathy, Sophie and husband Dan Bertrand, Jovanna and husband Raymond Whitehead, John Block III and wife Rose, Angela and husband Joseph Lobato, and Clarissa Block.

Twenty-one grandchildren: Jason, Wylie Potter, Patrick and wife Yvette, Kim, Jaime and husband Ted Ambrose, Jenifer, Jerome, Jordan, Allison, Tara Block-Archuleta and husband Jerry, Valerie, Angelique Block-Gallegos and husband Dave, Catalina Block and boyfriend John Valdez, Adrienne Bertrand, Elizabeth and Joshua Whitehead, Salome and John Block IV, Matthew and Jared Lobato and Anastasia Luna Block and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Brothers: Guadalupe and wife Mela, David and wife Sylvia and Arthur Salazar; sisters: Sarah and Manuel Martinez, Connie Thompson, Mary and husband Andres Gallegos and Sophie Block-Moe; sisters-in-law: Bennie Salazar and Angela Salazar. A dear relative Cecilia Cordova who resides in California, and many loving nieces, nephews and relatives.

Serving as pallbearers are: Gerald Salazar, Patrick Block, Jerome Block, Jordan Block, Matthew Lobato and Jared Lobato.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jason Block, Macellus Davis, Joshua Whitehead, and John Block IV. 

Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Tuesday at 6:30 pm at Block-Salazar Mortuary in Espanola. A second rosary is being held in Santa Fe at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Wednesday night also at 6:30 pm, and Funeral Mass is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Fe.  Interment with military honors will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. 

The family of John Block, Jr. have entrusted his care to the Rivera family of Block-Salazar Mortuary of Espanola. 753-2288 or toll free 1(800) 443-4854. www.blocksalazarmortuary.com

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