Mountainair Mourns Gabriel Padilla

Gabriel Padilla, 23 years old, passed away on February 28, 2024. He is survived by his parents, his wife, and his two children. Gabriel was described by those who knew him as a hard worker who did all he could to care for his family. He worked at Vulcan Materials Company. “He was a man’s man. He inspired me, let me put it that way,” Mountainair Town Clerk Dennis Fulfer said of Padilla, who attended school with one of Fulfer’s children. “I’m old enough to be his dad, and he inspired me.” Angelica Padilla wrote of Gabriel, “The struggles in life didn’t ever take his smile off his face. He leaves behind two beautiful children who he loved more than anything else in this life.”

A fundraiser has been started for Padilla’s family. Reflecting the sentiments of Mountainair residents regarding Gabriel Padilla, the fundraiser collected $9,390 in just six hours. The fundraiser can be found at this link for those able to donate to this cause.

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