George Edward Pino

George Edward Pino, an exceptional individual, passed away on September 18, 2022 leaving a void in many people’s hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents Jose C and Maria, “Nellie” Pino, his brothers Richard and Arthur Pino, his nephews Carlos and Ronald Pino, his stepson, Patrick Mullen, and his life partner, Nancy Mullen. He is survived by his nephews: Michael and wife, Ann; David and his wife, Carrie; and Ricky and his wife, Connie, and their families, his stepdaughter, Michelle Mullen, and his grandson, Jonathan Munson. George had an expansive extended family and kept in contact as best he could, relishing each encounter and learning something new about his Socorro roots and beyond. George was born in Albuquerque in1937, surviving numerous adventures with his life-long friends and family. In 1955, George graduated from St. Mary’s, and then attended Catholic University earning a degree in mechanical engineering in 1961. While in Washington DC, George, a lifelong Democrat, worked in Senator Anderson’s office, meeting people who have defined history and contributed to several political movements either directly or indirectly. After graduation, George worked for the US Department of the Interior, first in DC and then in Denver. When in Denver, George pursued a law degree from the University of Denver earning a Juris Doctor. Despite the diverse background, he and his close friends became staunch supporters of  the Denver Broncos and stood by their progress through several Super Bowls and stadiums. His professional accolades were numerous as he practiced law—even presenting a case in front of the US Supreme Court. Eventually, he returned to the government with the Bureau of Reclamation, and combined his professional endeavors. He worked in this capacity for over 25 years and retired, returning to New Mexico. George’s acumen was rarely seen as a lifelong learner and voracious reader; he could remember every detail with clarity and conviction. He also was the keeper of memories, telling stories with a twinkle in his eye and heartfelt laughter as he recalled interactions with loved ones and/or just interesting characters he met along the way. George cared for so many and cherished his connections, occasionally sending a newspaper clipping as a reminder. He was a unique soul of a lost generation who stepped up to the plate, capitalized on opportunities, and never looked back with anything except appreciation of life—and with 85 years, he had a fascinating one. George will be dearly missed, and in his honor, in lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice to make the world a better place.

George's Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, Nov. 6th, at Hotel Andaluz from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Please join us to honor his generous nature and the many gifts he gave to others.