Tony Ben Quintana
May 22, 1933 — Jan. 22, 2011
MONTROSE — Tony Ben Quintana, age 77, of Montrose, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, with his family at his bedside. Tony was born May 22, 1933, to Dave and Josephine (Pacheco) Quintana at Durango, Colo. He spent his childhood and received his education in Durango, Colo. At the young age of 12, Tony worked for Pepsi Cola in Durango. Tony married Genevieve L. Medina on Aug. 15, 1956, in Aztec, N.M. He was employed by D.N.R.G. Railroad, as a trackman between Durango and Telluride, Colo. Tony assisted in the construction of the Milllion Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton. He also worked for Irvin Coal Mine and Hesperus Coal Mine, both in Durango. From Durango, his family relocated to Silverton, Colo., and Tony worked for Standard Metals in Silverton then Dixielynn Mine as a hard rock miner, also in Silverton. He later was employed by Idarado, also as a hard rock miner. Tony also worked for Hawks Nest Coal Mine in Hotchkiss, Colo. His last job and prior to his retirement years later, he was employed by Blue Mesa Sawmill in Montrose. Tony was a wonderful and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to many. He was a man with a kind heart to everyone and, if asked, he would do anything for anyone at any time. He was a generous person who always had a gleam in his eyes and a smile on his face. Tony took interest in playing the guitar at age 6 and learned music by ear and recorded his songs from his heart. He was our entertainer at all family gatherings. Tony loved sporting his black Stetson hat, with his black cowboy boots. He loved fishing with his son, Toby, and Tio Joe at Blue Mesa and Ridgway Dam. He enjoyed working on cars and being a handyman for his family. Tony was very supportive to his children, grandkids and great-grandkids in everything they did. He was also the family barber for his sons and grandsons. Tony was always appreciative of his loving wife and children. His family meant the world to him. Tony will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.
Surviving family members include his beloved wife, Genevieve Quintana of the family home; his children, Jimmy (Emma) Quintana of Grand Junction, Colo., Lucy (Cade) Salaz, of Montrose, Jeanette Quintana of Montrose, Roberta (Larry) Avila of Olathe, Anthony (Annette) Quintana, Sylvia Quintana, Toby (Sonya) Quintana, Julie (Antonio) Uribe, all of Montrose. Tony was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister. A vigil for Tony will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, at St. Mary Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow the Mass at Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose. Memorial contributions may be made, in memory of Tony Quintana, to The American Cancer Society, 2754 Compass Dr., Suite 328, Grand Junction, CO 81506. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
