Joseph R. Block

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph R. Block on March 6, 2022 at the age of 78. Joe was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and raised in Santa Cruz, NM.

Joe grew up as part of a large family, and an even larger extended family. Joe spent much of his working career as a funeral director at Block’s Mortuary, the family business. He also worked in other funeral homes around New Mexico when he was semi-retired.

Joe was an avid reader and enjoyed westerns and mysteries, as well as a fan of college basketball and football and had season tickets to watch the UNM Lobos play in the Pit. He was an active member of the Civitan’s Club in Santa Fe, where he participated in many of their community service projects. He was a member of San Felipe de Neri parish in Albuquerque and attended church regularly. Joe resided in Albuquerque for the last 25 years, and prior to that, he lived and worked in Taos, Las Cruces, Las Vegas Nevada and even spent time working in the Dominican Republic. 

Joe was most proud of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, father John Block Jr. mother, Lupita Block, and stepmother, Eloisa Block, loving partner Edwina (Dina) Chavez, and his siblings John, Jimmy and Clarissa. Joe is survived by his children, son Patrick and wife Yvette De La O, daughter Kimberly, and daughter Jaimie Ambrose and husband Ted. He was also an extremely proud grandfather to Desmond Block, Hunter Ambrose, and Brittany Ambrose. He is also survived by his siblings, Jerome, Jacob, Jeffrey, Jay, Sophie, Jovanna, John and Angela, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who are more like family.

A Rosary will be prayed at 10:00am on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following the rosary. The family will conduct a burial service at a later date.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com