Abel Blanco

Abel Blanco joined our Heavenly Father at age 89 on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Although his family was fortunate to have many wonderful years with him, his warm and loving presence will be tremendously missed. He was not only a role model on how to be an amazing dad, but an incredible grandpa, primo, Nino, tio and compadre as well. Much of his love was displayed through acts of service, and he was always eager to help family and friends with things like repairs or helping come up with solutions to life’s many challenges. His open-mindedness made his family and friends feel safe to be themselves and try new things, like growing a food garden in his front yard. Everyone who met him immediately felt welcome and drawn to his kind and sweet presence. At the hospital, the nurses said, “He’s our grandpa, too. We adopted him.” He was a wonderful listener and shared countless memorable stories about growing up in Fabens and El Paso, his time in the Navy and post office and all the good times he had with friends and family—especially the love of his life who he missed every day, Lupe.

With 31 years of service to the U.S. government, Abel shared many fond memories of his time as a signalman for the U.S. Navy from 1953-1957 and in the U.S. Postal Service, where he primarily worked as an auto mechanic. His passion for family and keeping up with responsibilities never waivered. Even in the hospital, he asked his granddaughter to check the oil in their cars. But as responsible as he was, he never took life too seriously. His laughter was infectious and he always found humor even in the most challenging of times. One of his favorite comedies was Cheech & Chong's “Up in Smoke,” although he did not “partake.” Abel also enjoyed maintaining his beautiful backyard for his family to enjoy, feeding his turtles, watching boxing matches (thanks to matches he happily remembered going to with his dad as a kid), painting ships and Native American art pieces and collecting classic diecast model cars, wind chimes and Homies. (He seemingly had the entire “Homies” collection and even called his white tank tops “Homie shirts!”) His family will miss watching his favorite shows with him, which included “Gunsmoke,” “Pawn Stars,” “American Pickers,” “Counting Cars,” and “Let’s Make a Deal.” Although there’s so much about Abel that his family will miss, they take comfort in memories of him singing in the car during family road trips, making his favorite picadillo tacos and all the Sundays they spent together sharing much, much laughter and many wonderful stories.

Abel is survived by his daughter Leticia Blanco Aguirre; his daughter Norma Blanco; and his son Abel Blanco Jr.(Marisela); his brother Aristeo Blanco (Eileen) and his brother Oscar Blanco (Margaret); his grandchild Carlos R. Aguirre, his grandchild Joseph Aguirre (Liz), his grandchild Victoria G. Molinar, his grandchild Eduardo Ortiz (Nohely), his grandchild Evelyn A. Blanco, his grandchild Amy E. Blanco, his great-grandchild Harper C. Aguirre and his great-grandchild Roland M. Aguirre-Silva.

Abel was preceded in death by his wife Guadalupe Blanco, his sister Mary Marquez (Beto) and his father and mother Aristeo and Severa Blanco.

A visitation for Abel will be held Tuesday, June 6, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 North Carolina Dr., El Paso, Texas 79915. A rosary will occur Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM, 1060 North Carolina Dr., El Paso, Texas 79915. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Little Flower Catholic Church, 171 Polo Inn Rd, El Paso, Texas 79915. An interment will occur Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2:30 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, Fort Bliss, Texas 79906. If you have something middle to dark green or blue you can wear to either of his services, those were his favorite colors.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestfuneralhomeeast.com for the Blanco family.