Anthony J Tafoya

January 22, 2017 in Longmont, CO. He was born on August 27, 1943 in Las Vegas, NM to the

late Antonio and Modesta Tafoya

Tony graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe, NM in 1962. He enlisted in the

Army and worked in intelligence during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When his enlistment was

completed, he enrolled at Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Latin

American Studies. After graduation, he worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency at the U. S.

Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. He subsequently enrolled at the University of New Mexico and

earned a Masters degree in 1973 in history and political science. He taught English as a Second

Language in Moline, IL and returned to civil service as an EEO specialist for the Rock Island

Arsenal. He then worked for NOAA/ERL in Boulder, CO until his retirement as EEO manager.

While at NOAA, he created the PHASE program to give high school and college students and

teachers interested in the sciences to get summer jobs working under various scientists. He

helped form IMAGE of Boulder County and a Blacks in Government chapter in Boulder. He

wrote newsletters and took pictures for both organizations. He also worked with the Native

American Rights Fund to recruit Native Americans in the sciences.

After working with community organizations, Project NOW and El Comite, in the Quad Cities,

he became involved in the Longmont community in 1980 with the shootings that took place in

August of that year. When the community organization formed, he offered the name of El

Comite from his days in the Quad Cities. He worked with El Comite for several years during his

free time.

He enjoyed photography, especially taking photographs of family and friends having fun.

Tony leaves behind his wife, Rose Marie Garcia Tafoya; children, Antonio Dav Tafoya-Garcia

of Seattle WA, Armando (Tracy) Tafoya-Garcia of Aurora, CO, and Javier Tafoya-Garcia;

granddaughter Olivia; siblings, Judy (Mike) Lujan, Jack, Glenn (Cindy) and Rodney all of Santa

Fe, NM; niece Nancy Abruzzo and nephews Paul Saiz and Justin Tafoya. He was preceded in

death by his parents.

Visitation will take place Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Howe Mortuary,

439 Coffman St. in Longmont; a rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Howe Mortuary; a Mass scheduled at

10:00 a.m. January 27, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 3791 Pike Rd.,

Longmont. Burial will take place at Fort Logan Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, 7200 E.

Hampden Ave., Denver, CO 80224.