Alfonso Lovato

Alfonso Lovato March 11, 1945 - August 1, 2025 Alfonso “Coach” Lovato, 80, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away on August 1st, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather, friend, mentor and coach. 

Born on March 11, 1945, in Sena, New Mexico (the ranch), Alfonso was the son of Antonio and Margaret Lovato. At the tender age of three, he was later raised by his adoring mother, Lucy Lovato following the passing of his biological mother. Mr. Lovato was preceded in death by his parents: Antonio, Margaret, and Lucy Lovato; brothers: Emilio, Ignacio, and Raymond Lovato; sisters: Flora Lucero and Maria Lovato; brother in laws: Felix Campos, Vidal Lucero and, Nick Dominguez; sister-in-law: Pearl Salazar. 

Alfonso is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Marcia Lovato; his beloved children: Norman (Antoinette), Adrian (Tina), Cindy (David), and Robby; his beautiful grandchildren: Veronica (David), Timothy (Stephanie), Sofia (Aundre), Angelo, Dominique, Avrianna, Brianna (Andres), Alfonso, and Nathaniel; great-grandchildren: Danelly, Alayyah, and Dominic; step granddaughters: Stephanie, Miquela, and Jessica; siblings: Lora, Narcissa (Ronnie), Rita (Andy), Chona (Ruben), Della, Bella, Carmen, Nick (Angela), and Tony (Eliza); sister in laws: Isabel and Stella; and a host of nieces and nephews who cherished him deeply. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. 

At a very young age Alfonso decided that the only way he was going to be able to give himself and his family a good life was by working extremely hard to earn a living and not having to rely on handouts, so he devoted his life to working diligently in many roles working his way up the career ladder. At the age of 13 he set out for Channing, Texas where he quickly became a man, working with his uncle as a ranch hand Monday thru Sunday, sun- up to sun-down. A few years later he returned home and started his career with the government working as a nursing assistant at the State Hospital in Las Vegas, New Mexico for the next several years, and where he met the love of his life Marcia Lovato. At the age of 21 he moved to Santa Fe with his wife and two small sons Norman and Adrian, and shortly thereafter his daughter Cindy was born. When he got to Santa Fe he worked as a maintenance man at the Lensic Theatre as well as both drive-in movie theatres. He then went on to proudly serve the City of Santa Fe Parks and Recreation Division, working his way up from picking up litter to eventually becoming the Parks Superintendent. He served the City of Santa Fe for 33 years and retired in 2006. After devoting 33 years to serving the public he was not ready to stop serving or working. Serving and working was in his blood.

For the next 19 years, and all the way up until the last month before he took his last breath, he worked as a Property Manager for Santa Fe Home Pros where he grew a deep passion for taking care of some of the most beautiful multi-million-dollar homes in and around the Santa Fe area.

 Outside of work, Alfonso fell in love with the sport of boxing. As both an amateur and professional boxing coach for over 30 years, he dedicated himself to mentoring countless athletes in the sport he loved most. He trained many professional boxers throughout his coaching career. The sport of boxing was another way for him to live his life with intention and serve his community. Through coaching, the impact he made on the youth and young adults of his community was immeasurable. As an avid sports fan, he made it a priority to attend all his grandchildren's sporting events, and in his downtime, he enjoyed binge-watching sports of all kinds. He was a diehard Dallas Cowboy, a Golden State Warrior, and a huge UConn Women's Basketball fan. 

Alfonso lived his life with purpose and intention and instilled those same values within his children and grandchildren. He was strong in his faith and was extremely proud of the family he built. His greatest joy was watching his children and grandchildren all get along as well as succeed in whatever they did. He loved his family very much and always made sure every single one of them never went without.

 Alfonso Lovato will be remembered for the unconditional love, unwavering support, loyalty and sacrifice he provided to his family, his work ethic, his generosity, his passion for helping people of all walks of life, his honest and upfront advice, his faith, his wisdom, his coaching and mentoring talents, and his competitive/fearless nature. His spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

 A Rosary will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 9:30 AM at Santa Maria de La Paz Catholic Church in Santa Fe New Mexico, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM. Burial to follow at Rosario Cemetery (Santa Fe).

Pallbearers: Timothy Lerma, David Gonzales, Joaquin Zamora, Ronnie Vialpando, Rogelio Ochoa, and Raymond Dominguez.

Honorary Pallbearers (Grandchildren): Veronica Lovato-Lerma, Monique Lovato, Angelo Lovato, Avrianna Lovato, Little Alfonso Lovato, and Brianna Lerouge.

The family would like to express their sincere heartfelt thanks for the many calls, visits, and food received during this time.