Raquel Romero

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on Wednesday May 11, 2022, surrounded by his loving children. Raquel was born to Soledea and Ricardo Romero on July 24, 1928, in Rodarte, New Mexico. Raquel was married to Mary (Maria) Martinez on August 9, 1953, and subsequently moved from New Mexico to Utah where they raised four children in West Jordan, Utah.

Raquel was a devout Catholic who prayed the rosary daily and attended mass regularly until he could no longer do so. He was among the founding fathers who originally helped erect St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in 1965. Raquel was no stranger to hard work and physical labor and put in long hours in helping build the church. Raquel proudly worked at Kennecott Copper Mine for 29 years as a bulldozer operator. He subsequently worked a few years as a custodian at Westbrook Elementary School in Granite school district. Raquel had an impeccable work ethic, and all the staff requested his services. When he resigned, the school expressed great sadness and disappointment upon his departure. Raquel never missed a chance to go camping and fishing and loved a quick trip to Wendover whenever the opportunity presented itself. He particularly liked spending time with his grandchildren. He had tremendous patience with all his grandchildren and taught each of them how to tie a fishing line, cast a line, recognize when a fish was caught and how to reel it in. Raquel enjoyed golfing and the joke among the family was he could always hit the ball straight which was a natural skill he had. Above all, Raquel loved spending time with his family and couldn’t contain his excitement whenever his children and grandchildren came to visit.

Raquel came from a large family and his siblings and their respective spouses include: Tito (Marcella), Kate (Dan Lucero), Armando, Louis (Naomi), Cruzita (Juan Romero), and Pat (Margie).

Raquel was extremely devoted to his wife Mary of 66 years and would often visit her gravesite. She was the love of his life and now they are joyfully reunited again. They spent their entire lives working hard to provide better opportunities for their four children, Naomi (Steve Leyba), Raquel Jr. (Donna) Romero, Richard Romero, and Steve Romero.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to their special friend and neighbor, SuzAnne. SuzAnne kept a watchful eye on Raquel after Mary passed away and always knew when he was up when the window shutters opened. The family would also like to express their gratitude to the ICU staff at Intermountain Medical Center and in particular his nurse, Michelle. Michelle treated Raquel with exceptional care and kindness. She even worked well past her work schedule to provide him with comfort care.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, from six to eight in the evening at Memorial Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday June 2, 2022, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 7405 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84084. Interment at Memorial Redwood Cemetery to follow the funeral Mass.