Antonio Blas Pino

Antonio Blas Pino, known as Tony, passed peacefully and gloriously into God’s care on Friday morning, September 25, 2026, at the age of 95, after saying goodbye to family members and dear friends.

Tony was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 3, 1931, to Antonio Pino and Frances Delgado Pino. The oldest of six children, he shared a close bond with his siblings, Marie, Viola, Frances, Gilbert, and Herman and his cousin Ted. He took great pride in his heritage and loved recounting stories of his childhood, his upbringing in Santa Fe, and the family history he treasured.

Following his father’s untimely death, Tony entered the minor seminary at age 13 with the desire to become a Catholic priest. A few years after leaving the seminary, he met Margaret Dohrer at the Santa Fe library and asked her on a date. That invitation began a love story that led to their marriage on September 9, 1955, and 70 years of life together.

Tony was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret, who passed away in August 2025. They shared seven decades of love, companionship, and devotion to their family. Together, they raised seven children and built a home whose warmth extended across generations welcomed others as family. Their reunion brings comfort to those who loved them, knowing they are together again in God’s glory.

Tony leaves a lasting legacy as an educator who touched countless lives. His career began with a teaching position in Belen, followed by teaching Latin and psychology at Valley High School. He was then recruited to Albuquerque Boys Academy, later known as the Albuquerque Academy, where he spent most of his eight years as head of the lower school.

After leaving the Academy in 1966, Tony worked in the Bernalillo school system before being recruited to Manzano Day School, where he served as headmaster for more than 16 years. He later founded Coronado Academy, a private middle school. His final teaching position was at Valle Vista Elementary School, teaching English as a second language. When he retired at age 70, he regarded his work with children in Albuquerque’s South Valley as among the most rewarding of his career.

Above all, Tony’s family was the center of his life. His greatest legacy lives on through his seven children, fourteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren: Tony and his wife, Julie, and their sons, Lyle (Kim) and their children, Sebastian and Leah, and Curtis (Becky) and their children, AJ, Lincoln, Logan, and Lola; Michael and his wife, Kathy, and their sons, Daniel (Kenneth) and their children, Oliver and Elliott, and Scott; Eileen and her children, Matthew, Raquel (Eric) and their children, Charley and Ivy, and Jacqueline; Helen; Kathy and her husband, Tom, and their children, Chris (Anastasha) and their children, Zion and Zephania, and Jimmie; Stephen and his wife, Paulina, and their children, Stefan (Crissey), Evan, and Isabella; and Marlene and her children, Wyatt and Zoe. Jesus Gonzalez-Aller (Uli) and their children, Laszlo, Mariluz, and Alma, are also cherished members of the family.

Tony will be remembered for his devotion to family, his pride in his heritage, his love of storytelling, and his lifelong dedication to helping children learn and grow. His influence lives on in the generations of his family and the many students whose lives he helped shape.

A Rosary will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m. with Mass at 10:30 at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont ST. NE, Albuquerque.