- Date Of Birth: April 12, 1937
- Date Of Death: January 27, 2021
- State: New Mexico
Daniel Silva Peña, 83, resident of Deming, New Mexico entered eternal rest on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. God welcomed to his home, his loving and faithful servant, Deacon Dan Peña. At this time, Dan fulfilled his greatest dream: to see his creator face to face.
Here, his family wants to pay tribute to a man that we call dad, tito, grandpa, husband for his love, support, and for his exceptional example of what living a Christian life truly means. A man who devoted his life to service God, his family, his community, and his country. We will miss your joyful personality and contagious smile.
Services to God: Dan always dreamt of serving God in a more meaningful capacity and in 1973 God makes this dream a reality when he joined the first Deaconate program in the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas. He was ordained Deacon on August 22, 1975 and served in several parishes in San Angelo and Abilene, Texas and Deming, New Mexico. For more than 45 years, Dan explains the scriptures with love, examples of life and humor.
Services to his family: Dan married his true love, Leonor V. Montes (Nora) on November 18, 1956. Together they shared their love for almost 65 years, raised 11 children, and often opened their doors to others in need of a safe place to live. Dad often doled out words of wisdom and told stories filled with laughter. There was never a dull moment in his life for he was quite the jokester. Dad always had a smile and shared that smile with everyone he encountered.
Services to his community and country: He served in the United States Air Force for 22 years. Upon his retirement, he attained his bachelor and master’s degrees in psychology and worked for Tom Green County as a probation officer for an additional 10 years. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel B. Peña and Adelina Silva Peña; 2 siblings, Cristobal (Gloria *) Peña and twin, Ricardo Peña; a nephew, Ricardo Peña, Jr.; Sister/Brother-in-laws, Leo, Lucy, Ruth, Ben, Fred, Joe, Luisa, and Eppie.
He is survived by his loving wife, Leonor V. Montes (Nora) of the home; his children, Cristine Peña, Cathy Colunga (Jorge Brusa), Martha (Dan) Makar, Edward (Regina) Peña, Manuel Peña, Pablo Peña, Maria (Tom) Sedita, Daniel M. Peña, Arturo Peña, Virginia (Chris) Dettmer, Carmen (Jimmy) Nitiparsong; 29 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Dan is also survived by his siblings, Fidencio S. Peña and Mary Lou (Reymundo *) Garcia and sister/brother-in-laws, Evelyn Pino, Mary Salazar, Lydia Faber Chano Montes, and Sam Montes.
