Hector Delgado

Hector Delgado, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, at home, with his wife and family. He was 88 years old.

Hector was born in Juncos, Puerto Rico; the eldest of six children. After graduating high school in Juncos, he attended the University of Puerto Rico for a year before enlisting in the United States Air Force. While stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he met his future wife, Gloria Vigil. They were married on May 23, 1959, and built a life together filled with love, travel, and devotion to family, having recently celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Hector and Gloria had three children: Cecilia (Philip) Kahle, Chris (Pam) Delgado, and Hector Esteban Delgado, who passed away in March 1964. He was a proud grandfather to Allison (Robert) Towne, Stephen Kahle, Adam (Sara) Delgado, and Stacie (Mario) Otero, and great-grandfather to Kendra and Krysta Delgado, and Kenzie and Jessie Otero.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Hector Esteban (Stevie) Delgado; his parents, Catalina and Miguel Delgado; his brother Miguel Ángel (Cano) Delgado; and his sister Priscilla Delgado. He is also survived by his sisters Iraida, Brunilda, and Carmen Delgado, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

After his service in the Air Force, Hector pursued higher education at the University of New Mexico, where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and eventually his doctorate degree in romance languages. He was a dedicated educator, teaching middle school for 32 years at Hoover and Wilson Middle Schools within the Albuquerque Public Schools system.

Hector and Gloria shared a passion for travel, exploring countries across the globe including Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Mexico, and many others—as well as frequent visits to Puerto Rico and destinations throughout the United States.

An exceptional cook, Hector delighted his family with traditional Puerto Rican dishes such as arroz con gandules, habichuelas (kidney beans with ham), paella, lechón (pork), and his famous budín (bread pudding). He was also an avid fisherman and found joy in passing on the tradition, buying fishing rods for all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Hector leaves behind a legacy of love, learning, culture, and family that will be cherished for generations.

A rosary will be recited at 10am and the funeral Mass will take place at 10:30am on Monday, June 23, 2025 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 1502 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM, 87124.  Graveside Service will follow at 2:00pm, Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, with Military Honors.