SUN Staff Report
Update: Public visitation will begin at 12 noon on Sunday Nov. 16th in the Chapel of Block-Salazar Mortuary in Espanola. Recitation of the Rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm on Sunday evening at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Española. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11:30 am also at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Espanola with interment to follow at the Church Cemetery, according to his obituary.
Longtime Rio Arriba County political boss Emilio Naranjo, 92, died Thursday morning (11/13).
Naranjo’s daughter Margarita Naranjo confirmed that Naranjo died in Albuquerque. A funeral will be held in Española, but specific arrangements have not yet been made, she said.
A family member wishing to remain anonymous said Emilio Naranjo died in his sleep at the home of his youngest son, Raul. Naranjo was where he wanted to be, the family member said.
Emilio Naranjo had been doing fine on Wednesday (11/12) but suffered from heart problems, the family member said.
Española School Board President Joe Romero, a friend and political ally of Naranjo, said Naranjo’s son-in-law, Kenneth Salazar, called him this morning with the news.
“Kenneth Salazar called this morning, he told me, ‘My father-in-law died last night very peacefully,’” Romero said. “I’m assuming he died at home. I know there was somebody there with him 24/7, relatives were taking care of him.”