ANTONITO — San Antonio resident Joseph Baldino Romero (Joe B), 85, was called home to be with our Lord on May 15, 2023, surrounded by his son Rocky, daughter Rhilda, nephew Johnny, niece Marlene and husband Anthony, granddaughter Kimberly and Kimberly's mother Maggie and Shelly. Joe was welcomed into the world on Dec. 5, 1937, to the late Victor Romero and Natividad Duran Romero who preceded him in death.

Joe was united in marriage to the love of his life Elsie Josephine Romero on July 21, 1956. The two welcomed seven children and shared a long and happy union until her passing on Sept. 6, 2018. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Joe worked in many mines in Colorado in Silverton, Ouray, Minturn and for nearly 20 years at the molybdenum mine in Climax. While Joe worked the mine at Climax, he commuted basically every weekend from his home in Leadville to the farm-ranch in Los Pinos, N.M., attending to his sheep initially and then he converted to cows.

Then his wife Elsie retired from the Lodge in Vail along with her daughter Rhilda and moved to San Antonio, Colo. Joe continued tending to his cattle until he sold his cattle and permits. In his spare time, he enjoyed going camping, fishing, and gambling at the casinos in Colorado, New Mexico and especially enjoyed playing cards and dice with his children, relatives and friends.

Joe also enjoyed spending time with his family and grandkids especially when they came to visit him. Joe will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

His legacy will live on through his children: daughter Rhilda Romero, three sons; Rocky (Stephanie) Romero, Jack (Denise) Romero, Darryl Romero; 13 grandchildren; Kimberly, Roman, Danica, Sarah, Crystal, Raquel, Ziven, Adam, Nathan, Jake, Savannah, Divina, and Destiny (step grandchild), five great-grandchildren: Megan, Gracia, Alethia, and two great-grandsons. He is survived by three sisters: Nellie, Della, and Elva and two brothers; Leonard and David. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Victor and Natividad Romero, his loving wife Elsie Josephine Romero, two daughters Sandra and Janae Romero, one son Robbie Romero, five brothers Ubaldo, George, Placid and Victor; and three sisters Dora, Pat, and Lucille.

A Viewing will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Romero Funeral Chapel in Antonito, Colo., with a Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary to follow at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Conejos, Colo., also on May 28, 2023. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, May 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Conejos, Colo. Interment will follow at the Los Cerritos Cemetery in Manassa, Colo. Also, lunch to proceed after the interment at the Parish Hall in Conejos.

To leave online condolences, please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Valley Funeral Home of Antonito.