Brian E. Tafoya

Longtime teacher and former journalist Brian Ernest Tafoya of Albuquerque died peacefully at home on Oct. 20. He was 66.
The second oldest child of Herman O. and Edna Tafoya, Brian was a devoted husband, proud father and beaming grandpa. His wife of 37 years, Nancy, their two children and grandson were the loves of his life.
Brian grew up in the neighborhood just south of what is now Interstate 40 and Coronado Center. He attended Monroe Junior High and Del Norte High School, where he graduated in 1969.
By then, he had already shown an interest in journalism, contributing to a teen column featured in the Albuquerque Journal. One of his stories was based on an in-person interview with Beach Boy Al Jardine.
Brian's interest in writing, and photography, continued at the University of New Mexico. He wrote stories for the Daily Lobo campus newspaper and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in spring 1973.
Fresh out of college, he spent his summer vacation driving a bus for the city of Albuquerque before landing a position with the Los Alamos Monitor as sports editor, filing colorful football game reports spiced up with nicknames for players.
He left the paper at the end of 1973 to pursue Spanish studies for a year in Bogota, Colombia.
On his return to Albuquerque, he became the assistant editor, then editor, of the fledgling 19 Pueblo News, a twice-a-month publication focused on issues affecting New Mexico's Pueblo communities. It was a time-intensive job, requiring long hours collecting and writing news, pasting up the paper and then hitting the road in his VW Bug to deliver the paper to customers.
Brian's switch to education came naturally, being the son of a well-known Spanish teacher at Highland High School. Brian earned his certification in 1977 and began a long career with Albuquerque Public Schools, teaching English, Spanish and journalism at, among others, Eldorado High School and Madison Middle School.
At Madison, he won several Coca Cola grants to provide materials for the after-school programs Rocket Club and Teddy Bear Club (where students made Teddy Bears). He was recognized as the school's teacher of the month in 1995.
Brian taught English classes for very young students during the summer as well as Spanish for adults at night at Madison, the latter through the continuing education program at UNM. He taught Spanish during the summers at UNM, also through the university's continuing education program.
After leaving Madison, he taught with the Adolescent Psychiatric Center through Kaseman, which provided itinerate teacher services for children not in APS.
In addition, he had teaching stints at Albuquerque Charter, the Digital Arts and Technology Academy and the Bataan Military Academy before his retirement in 2007.
Brian was especially proud of his father's military service in World War II, during which his dad survived the Bataan Death March. Brian himself enlisted in the Army Reserves as a public relations specialist, finding time to play coronet in the Army band before his honorable discharge. In later years, Brian met President Clinton during a ceremony in Hawaii honoring the survivors of the Bataan Death March.
Known for his sense of humor, quick wit and ability to make people laugh, Brian never met a stranger.
He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and avid sports enthusiast who ran track at Del Norte and enjoyed many sports activities, including bowling, tennis and recreational softball, where he was a solid third baseman and leadoff hitter known for line-drive doubles down the leftfield base line. His track experience in high school was useful when he was a track and cross country coach at Eldorado.
Brian had numerous interests and hobbies, including baking (winning ribbons at the state fair for his breads), growing succulents, sewing, quilting and photography. He also dabbled in model rocketry and even SCUBA diving.
He remained active over the years with the alumni organization at Del Norte.
Nancy and Brian met after a softball game in 1977 and shortly after became inseparable. They married on Aug.8, 1980.
As a father, Brian was "hands on" with his children's sports activities when they were young, umpiring in Little League and officiating at their soccer matches.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents.
In addition to his wife, Brian is survived by his children Brianne Kacerguis (Jim) of Albuquerque, and Jacob of Boulder, Colo.; and grandson James V. Kacerguis III.
He also leaves brothers Herman O. Tafoya Jr. and Norman Tafoya (Anne) of Albuquerque; sisters Sharon Burner (Bill) of Vienna, Va.; Juliette Leverett (Gary) of Albuquerque; and Susan T. Sullivan of Ramstein, Germany; many nieces and nephews; and several close friends.
Brian also leaves his four beloved dogs, Yankee, Snickers, Lilly and Anya.
A Life Celebration service will take place Monday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. at Salazar Mortuary, 400 Third St. SW, Albuquerque, with a reception to follow. Interment will be at 3 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Donations in Brian's memory may be made to the New Mexico Heart Institute.
A special thank you goes out to all his family, friends and medical professionals who gave him comfort during his journey.