Candido Valerio, born February 25,1922 in Los Cordovas, NM passed away on December 30, 2020.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Ana Chavez Valerio, his parents Luis Maria Gonzaga and Margarita (Martinez) Valerio, infant sister Stefania Valerio, sister Juanita Valerio Chavez, brother Delfino Valerio, in-laws Gabriel and Tomasita (Garcia) Chavez, son-in-law Tim Mylet and many other Valerio/Chavez relatives.

He is survived by his daughter Luisa Valerio Mylet of Pot Creek, son Armando (Bernice) Valerio of Ranchos de Taos. He is also survived by his grand-daughters, Micaela Medina Ortiz (Tony), Mary Mylet, Amanda Valerio Dussault (Darrel) and Sarah Anita Valerio. And by his great-grandchildren Nathaniel, Daniel, and Mia Ortiz and Evan Albert Dussault, sister-in-law Evelyn Valerio and numerous nephews and nieces and many other relatives, friends and students.

Candido was a proud World War II Veteran that served in the European Theater. He graduated in 1951 from New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (NMSU). He began his career as the Agriculture Agent in Mora County. He later attended New Mexico Highlands University and obtained his teaching certificate. He began his career as an educator in Pilar, NM, then moved to Ojo Caliente, NM, he also worked in Arroyo Hondo, NM and finally Arroyo Seco, NM. He retired from the Taos Municipal Schools in 1983. He was active with 4 different acequias and their water distribution. Acequia Madre del Rio Grande del Rancho, Acequia del Marrano (Los Cordovas Ditch # 2), Acequia Tio Gerbacio and Los Cordovas Ditch #1. He was a Mayordomo of Los Cordovas Ditch #1 for over 50 years, which he loved. He was a great believer in the fair adjudication of water. He told the State Engineer's Office water adjudication is not possible if there is no water in the rivers and acequias, which equaled no irrigation in the Spring. He also told them that the only form of adjudication of water they do is paper water. He loved to bake, can fruit, garden, and going for wood.

The Valerio Family would like to recognize and thank special family friends, Michael Martinez, Luis Tafoya, John Gallour, Phil Slinde, Gloria Montoya, Norman and Elsa Vigil and Ron and Amy Seidel. Candido was blessed with many other special friends and neighbors. The Valerio family would also like to thank Hospice Nurse, Lina Ridge for her kindness and compassion.

Private family services will be held and burial will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in which he will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Ana.

The family of Candido Valerio has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019