In Memoriam

                    Father Brian Douglas Escobedo

                                     August 4, 1955 to June 11, 2022

Brian Douglas Escobedo born August 13, 1955 – died June 11, 2022. We married on August 4, 1979 at Bolling AFB DC. He was a brillliant intelligence officer who went into the USAF Reserves so that I could stay active and finish my career. He went to GW Law school at night and became a poverty law attorney for Spanish speaking immigrants and was a leader in helping write and support anti-human trafficking laws in New Mexico. When I first met him in July 1977 at Lowry AFB Denver, CO.  When I first met him he told me he wanted to be a Catholic Priest. His dream was realized when Bishop Gerald Dino had the courage and foresight to send him an Fr Michal Mandelas to the Pittsburgh Seminary where he celebrated his 9th Anniversary as a Priest. At some level he knew his health wasn’t where it should have been and he was granted permission to retire effective 1 July 2022. The love of his life, however, besides his vocation as a priest was his vocation as a father and husband. We would have been married 43 years in August. He gave his all to his children and I used to joke he was a better mother than I would ever be when I was active duty USAF. He loved our three children so much Sara (born in 81), Rachel (born in 84) and Doug (born in 89). He LOVED being a grandfather (Papa Brian) and was so happy all three of his children were happy married to John, Nick, and Brittany. The last time I talked to him was late afternoon June 11th before I went to a quinceañera in Guatemala. We hung up saying “I love you” and I sent him this beautiful photo of his grandson and he texted me “you know I’m smiling now!” and after that I lever heard from him again. Monday morning on the feast day of St Anthony, I telephoned the police in Forida and they found him gone on the sectional sofa I was so happy to have just bought in our townhouse I’d been fixing up in Florida. He must have loved that sofa as much as I did. We are having his funeral at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Albuqurque, NM and he will be buried at the Veterans National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.  Date TBD but hoping for mid-July.  He literally gave his life for all of you.  He worked tirelessly during COVID-19, streaming services and visiting parish members online and providing spiritual direction and religious education to adults wishing to become Catholic.  Please know that he loves all of you and is watching over you as we speak.  Thanks so much to those of you who have reached out in love and support and to those of you who continue to support me–my deepest gratitude.  Eternal Memories and blessed repose to the love of my life.  May God continue to bless you in his Mercy.