Philip Richard Griego

Philip “Phil” “Coach” Richard Griego died unexpectedly in Rio Rancho, New Mexico on August 22, 2021 at the age of 60.

Philip is survived by his mother Tarcila (Tafoya) Griego of Belen, New Mexico, his wife Rosalie Griego of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, his son Eric and wife Sandra Griego, his daughter Jessica and husband Michael Tafoya, his daughter Amy and husband Anthony Ratliff, his brother Kenny Griego of Belen, New Mexico, his brother Danny Griego of Los Lunas, New Mexico, his sister Diane Nakos of Albuquerque, New Mexico, his brother Michael Griego of Los Lunas, New Mexico, his sister Judith Carrillo of Belen, New Mexico, his sister Patricia Trujillo of Belen, New Mexico, and his grandchildren Liana Griego-Ratliff, Ethan Tafoya, Eli Griego and Easton Tafoya. Philip is preceded in death by his father Deaudin Griego, his sister Loretta Sanchez and his brother-in-law Phillip Carrillo.

Philip was born October 8, 1960 in Belen, New Mexico to his mother and father, Tarcila and Deaudin Griego. Philip attended Belen High School, there, his love for basketball was cultivated. Phil was an all-star athlete and during his senior year he was recognized as Athlete of the Year. He graduated in 1978. After high school he attended New Mexico Highlands University. During his time at the university, he married his high school sweetheart Rosalie Ann Sanchez in Belen on May 30, 1981, with whom he continued to live happily for over 40 years. He graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a bachelor’s degree in 1983. After graduating, Philip began work in Human Resources for the Department of Energy, where he continued working for 36 years. Phil and Rosalie had 3 kids, Eric, Jessica, and Amy.

Philip was passionate about his love for Jesus Christ and basketball. As a faithful servant of Jesus, Philip was an active member of Calvary Church. He used basketball as his ministry in sharing the love of Jesus. Philip coached boys’ basketball for 8 years at Cibola High School, girls’ varsity basketball at St. Pius X High School for 23 years, and recently coached boys’ basketball at V. Sue Cleveland High School for the past 2 years. Philip loved coaching both boys’ and girls’ basketball, learning a great deal from each experience and every player, striving to change their lives for the better with the love of basketball. During his time as coach, he won 3 state championships with St. Pius X High School and 1 with V. Sue Cleveland High School.

Other special interests and hobbies of Phil’s included golfing, playing guitar, tennis, cooking and spending time with his family and grandkids. Philip loved spending time with his family especially, cooking for them and setting up the pool at his house so they could swim. He loved his four grandchildren with his whole heart. They loved sleepovers at grandpa’s house because they knew he was going to take them to their favorite snack spot (the gas station) to get all their special goodies. They would swim all day and watch a movie with their snacks at night.

Philip’s passing is all for God’s glory, it his is his greatest testimony!

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

The family would like to thank the staff at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital, the staff at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center, and their family and friends for the outpouring of love they have received during this time.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Acute Myeloid Leukemia - HealthWell Foundation.

Services will be held at Calvary Church on Thursday, September 09, 2021 starting at 11AM, reception to follow thereafter.