Bernie Lucero

Bernie T. Lucero died peacefully in his home surrounded by family and close friends on November 30th, 2024. After a full life of 83 years, Bernie has gone home to heaven. Bernie was born March 17th, 1941 in El Rito, New Mexico to Geronimo Emiliano Lucero and Maria Aurelia Gonzalez Lucero. He met Gloria, the love of his life, in Pueblo, Colorado and married her on July 2nd, 1960. The couple moved to the mountains of Minturn, Colorado where Bernie worked in the mines. After losing their first child at birth, Bernie and Gloria came to Fort Collins, Colorado. Bernie worked hard to learn a trade at the vocational tech school. He built a career with the Colorado State Forest Service, where he served as a mechanic and truck driver. At times, he covered long distances across the state with supplies to fight fires and restore forestlands. Bernie was a protector, a provider, an adventurer, and a storyteller. He raised his family in Fort Collins, providing a home for his children, Bernard, Aloyse and Lawrence, and later, after the loss of his daughter, to his granddaughter Amber. He worked to provide for his family, to have a home and security for his loved ones, and to safeguard the people he cared for. Together with his wife Gloria, they created a home that welcomed new and old friends alike. In his retirement, Bernie dedicated his life to caring for his family. Bernie made a difference in many people’s lives, providing a smile, advice, and action. He was a storyteller, sharing stories that had happened to him over the years with wit and humor. He was also an adventurer who loved to talk to people and learn from them. He would take walks across the neighborhood, checking in with friends across town, and he had many coffee pals he met daily to share stories. His connections to New Mexico continued to be important to him and he returned every year to connect with his extended family. On Good Friday, Bernie would walk a pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chimayo in support of loved ones both present and past. Bernie is survived by his sons Bernard (Erin) and Lawrence, grandchildren Spencer, Meghan, Amber (Scotty) and David (Christine), as well as great-grandchildren Kynsley, Donovan, Armani, and Sadie; sisters Elsie Vigil (Pete), Cora Ortega (Julian), Lucinda Trujillo (Danny) and Elma Lumbert. Bernie is predeceased by his sisters Genara Manzanares (JD) and Orlie Manzanares (Robert), his brother Emiliano Pancho Lucero (Mary), and his son Stone Lucero, daughter Alyose Lucero, and wife Gloria Lucero. Bernie was a faithful supporter of Holy Family Church and donations can be made in his name to the church. A rosary will be held Sunday, December 8th at 6 pm at Bohlender Chapel. Services will be Monday, December 9th at 10 am at Holy Family Catholic Church.

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Bernie Lucero

March 17, 1941 - November 30, 2024