Edward Joseph Sosaya Sr. (“Eddie” to his friends, “GaGa” to his family), our wonderful and loving patriarch passed away at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at the age of 85. Eddie was born in Santa Fe, NM on August 8, 1933. He graduated from Santa Fe High School as a 3-sport letterman. Eddie was a Korean War Veteran serving as a Pipefitter for the United States Navy aboard the USS Shoveler. He went onto becoming a master plumber, business owner, San Juan Democratic County Chair, civil servant with the State of New Mexico Small Business Division and was elected into the NM Democrat Hall of Fame. In spite of his many professional accomplishments, Eddie was best known for being a proud and beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Sosaya; his children, Patti Guthart (Tom), Eddie Sosaya Jr. (Cindy), Melanie Watkins (Todd); grandchildren, Amy Sosaya, Daniel Sosaya (Jamie), Chris Guthart, Cara Guthart, Ryan Watkins (Amber) and Olivia Holbrook (Brent); great-grandchildren, Isabel and Ian Gonzales, Garrett and Skyler Sosaya, Emmy and Kendall Watkins, Madelyn and Harper Holbrook; brothers, Jimmy and Raymond Sosaya. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. and Ida Sosaya; brothers, Frank Jr., Manny and Bobby and sisters, Helen and Dolores. Eddie was a political historian who enjoyed spending time with his family by fishing, camping, golfing, watching Notre Dame football and attending UNM football games, but most of all Eddie enjoyed having family get togethers as we all feasted on Lucy’s delicious New Mexican food. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at FRENCH – Westside. A Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 5712 Paradise Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery beginning at 1:30 p.m. Pallbearers are Eddie Sosaya Jr., Tom Guthart, Todd Watkins, Daniel Sosaya, Ryan Watkins and Chris Guthart. Honorary Pallbearers are Brent Holbrook, Ian Gonzales, Mike Gonzales, Eric Childers, Rick Laemmle and David King. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at 10900-B Stonelake Blvd Suite 320, Austin, TX 78759 or visiting www.heart.org. Please visit French Funeral’s guest book for Eddie at: www.frenchfunerals.com.
Published in Albuquerque Journal on Dec. 9, 2018