Many of you knew Michael Andrew Trujillo as a teacher or a coach. Maybe you knew him as a witty man who defended the underdogs and fought for justice. Perhaps you knew him as a career rabble-rouser. Perhaps he was the person who inspired you to live every day with “ganas.”

Michael A. Trujillo, born December 27, 1947 to Arlene (now Jaramillo) and Francisco Armenio Trujillo, completed his circle of life in his longtime home on July 11, 2018, in Antonito, the town to which he was fiercely dedicated.

Mr. Trujillo graduated from Antonito High School in 1966. He enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after and served in Vietnam. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Antonito to marry his high school sweetheart. He graduated from Adams State College, now Adams State University, and then worked as a teacher, coach, building inspector and contractor during his life.

Over the years, Mr. Trujillo has served as both a Town of Antonito Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. He was a member of the Sociedad Proteccion Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (S.P.M.D.T.U.) and a founding board member of the justice and advocacy non-profit Conejos Clean Water.

He enjoyed spending time with his family surrounding the firepit in the family home’s backyard, playing his guitar, taking trips to the casino, reading, building furniture and writing in his journal. He was also quite fond of history books and classic movies.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Mary Alice Trujillo, and his four children: Michele Trujillo and her husband Aaron A. Abeyta; Mike Trujillo; Andrea Trujillo Guajardo and her husband Marcel; and Ana Trujillo Limon and her husband Jamie Limon.

He is also survived by his mother, Arlene Natividad Jaramillo; three grandchildren, Javi Guajardo, Miguel Guajardo and Rut Trujillo Abeyta; his siblings Marian Florez, Charlotte Trujillo (Jim Lujan), and Frank (Sharon) Trujillo; and his in-laws Virginia Trujillo (Debbie Watkins); Edmund (Roxanne) Trujillo; Lupita (Brian) Thieman, and Leo Schmitz. Also, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Joining on the other side are his father, Francisco Armenio Trujillo, his brother Donald Trujillo and his sister-in-law Maria Schmitz.

A rosary will be held at 7 p.m., July 27 at and a funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m., July 28, both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Conejos. A reception will be held immediately following the mass on July 28 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Trujillo had previously requested donations to Conejos Clean Water be made in his name. Donations can be made at www.cccwater.org/donate.  The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Alamosa. To leave online condolences please visit www.romerofuneralhomes.com