Dennis Morris Valerio

Dennis Morris Valerio, 86, passed away on September 21, 2024, at Cedar Ridge Care Center, in Farmington New Mexico. Mr. Valerio was born to Antonia Trujillo and Roque Valerio on July 24, 1938, in Salida Colorado.

Mr. Valerio attended Salida schools after which he moved to Clovis New Mexico to work with his brother-in-law Claude Marques building homes. In 1959 he was returning to Salida for a visit when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Alamosa Colorado. The accident left him paralytic. He moved to Denver Colorado to be treated at a rehabilitation hospital.

Mr. Valerio stayed in Denver where he attended school of horology where he learned to repair time pieces and clocks. He worked as an apprentice in a Denver Clock repair shop and later opened his own store in Englewood, Colorado.

Mr. Valerio met and married his wife Carol Rogers in Denver. They were married until her death in 1978. He moved to Farmington, New Mexico and opened a time piece and clock repair shop specializing in antique clocks and grandfather clocks. He met his life partner Louise Trejo in Farmington. Louise became his sales assistant at his store.

Mr. Valerio known for his joyfulness, his humor and his mischievousness. His family referred to him as Dennis the Menace. He was a lifelong Catholic, loved the Denver Broncos, attending Fibark Boat Races in Salida, loved being with his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, stepfather Gene Vigil, grandparents Antonio and M. Isabel (Manzanares), Antonio Trujillo and M. Rumaldita (Maestas), brothers Samuel Rodriquez, George, Francisco, Frutos, sisters Fiviana Gallegos, M. Teresa, Anita Marques and brother-in-law Claude Marques, Alvina Jaquez and brother-in-law Asisclo, Isabel Strickland, sister-in-law Dolores Valerio, nieces Claudette Marques and Claudette Gabel, nephews Rondald Marques, Steve Valerio, Gene and Phillip Maestas.

He is survived by his life partner Louise of 39 years, brother Steve Valerio, Valerie Gauthier (Mark) his niece who was more of a daughter than a niece. Stepchildren Eileen Breickler (William) Bernadine Guttierrez (Phil), Linda Vigil (Gary), Tina Farrow (Robb), Legene Jaramillo (Lisa Marie), Charlene Duron (Miguel), Loretta Beam (Jay), Lisa Taulli (Joe), Johnny Jaramillo (Frances), and Manuel Serna. He is also survived by several grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

Services will be held October 5th, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Farmington. Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m., Mass at 10:00 a.m., with a reception following at the Parrish Hall.