Ralph Gilbert Garcia

Beloved local business man, grandfather, father, uncle, brother, and “Primo”  Rafael  (Ralph)

Garcia passed away, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. 

Born on March 22, 1949 in Las Vegas, NM, he was the third child born to Matilde Herrera and Fidel Garcia. After the death of his mother at the age of 13, Ralph began his first job working with the people of West Las Vegas as a bag boy at Ludi’s Grocery Store, a South Pacific Street staple, where he stayed working through high school. He was a 1968 graduate of West Las Vegas High School and attended New Mexico Highlands University. He spent many summers in Colorado, especially in Brighton & Rocky Ford, working with family, when he was younger. It was in high school that he met the love of his life. He and Frances worked together at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, with Frances’ uncle, Eliseo Esquibel, starting in the late ‘60’s. 

On August 29, 1970, he married Frances Esquibel (formally of Albuquerque) and together they would work to build a Las Vegas restaurant institution. After a brief partnership in the NMHU campus restaurant La Cocina, in 1974, he and Frances would partner with his brother, Bernie O. Garcia and wife Teresita to open the El Rialto Restaurant and Lounge. They opened their doors, on December 19, 1975, for their first catering. After some time, Ralph and Frances would become the co-owners and grow the Rialto into the dining institution that it has become for the last 49 years. Back in 1974, the old town plaza and Bridge Street area looked completely ifferent with many of the businesses being run down or closed.  Ralph found the Bridge Street location, being the site of a former carriage factory and the upstairs Maloof Hall. When they decided on the location and purchased the building, its last tenant was a dry good store, and it’s reported that Ralph sold many of the remaining dresses and other goods stored upstairs to help the Rialto stay open during those first few years in business. Another job that he spoke fondly of was working at Nosotros. 

In 1979, Ralph would be called to serve the people of West Las Vegas when he was elected to the West Las Vegas School Board, where he served 28 years as the board’s secretary and as a member. One thing that truly made his heart happy is that he got to hand the high school diplomas to Daniel, Abraham, Elizabeth, and Gabriel, at their high school graduation, when he was on the school board. He additionally served many years on the Board for Luna Vocational Technical Institute and the Mount Calvary Cemetery Board. Towards the end of the 1980’s, Ralph would return to his South Pacific Street Roots opening Tillie’s Kitchen, Laundromat and Trailer Court. Named after his mother, Ralph saw the revitalization of West Las Vegas as a personal mission for him in his life. As the 90’s began and the Rialto’s catering business outgrew their kitchen’s capacity, he purchased the buildings to the left of the Rialto to utilize the space as its catering kitchen. That kitchen offered a store front for Ralph to re-imagine and re-open an early childhood memory of the neighborhood Tiendita that his parents had when he was a child, and in 1995, he opened Abraham’s Tiendita, named after the son he would one day partner with as they grew it in to be a New Mexico Magazine “must eat” recognized restaurant in the community. Ralph and Frances took pride in always sponsoring the local sports, academics, and arts’ programs. They proudly sponsored the West Las Vegas Booster Club, each year, for many years, in addition to many youth league teams, particularly baseball. 

Ralph was known for always having a smile on his face and for making people laugh! There was never a dull moment, when Ralph was around, because he always had something to say to people to make them laugh! He will truly be missed by everyone that met him, for he more than likely made them walk away laughing, smiling, or giving “carria” back! That’s one thing that was for certain, Ralph could always be found laughing, smiling, or being cheery with his loved ones, including his staff and customers at both the Rialto and Abraham’s Tiendita! Ralph enjoyed family vacations, watching the Broncos play, watching Wrestling on TV (WWE), going to concerts, and spending time with family & the grandkids! Ralph’s biggest enjoyment was going to events for the grandkids, whether it be games or school-related events! He loved to see his kids and grandkids excel! Nothing made him happier than seeing his family happy! His spirit and legacy will live on in our hearts forever, within his kids and grandkids! His staff at both businesses really will miss hearing him tell them something to brighten their day! The customers and friends that he has made, all of these years, will miss hearing some kind of a joke that he had to say! 

Ralph is proceeded in death by his parents Matilde Herrera and Fidel Garcia. His wife Frances Garcia and In-laws Orlando and Eliza Esquibel. Sister-in-law Ignacita Esquibel. His sisters Nellie Herrera and Seneida Bustos. Brothers Meliquias Garcia, Amado Garcia, Bobby Garcia, Joe “Tycoon” Garcia and his daughter Linda Orozco. He is survived by his children Ralph Daniel (Rachel) Garcia, Abraham (Kristen) Garcia, Elizabeth Garcia, and Juan Gabriel Garcia.  His sisters Caroline Cornejo and Anna (Jimmy) Baca and brothers Luis (Viola) Garcia and Bernie (Teresita) Garcia. His in-laws, Orlando (Audrey) Esquibel and Ramona Torres. His grandchildren Alma, Elaine, & Emma, Lucas & Cambria, Isabella & Orlando, and Zayde & Amir. Many numerous nephews, nieces and godchildren (Randy, Dolores, Tino, and Jesse James), in addition to many cousins and “primos” (that he met along the way). 

There is no doubt that Ralph is living his best life right now! He could always be seen wearing a smile! That’s exactly how he would want us to remember him… Happy!!! Happily living eternally with Frances by his side! 

A funeral celebration will take place on December 18, 2024 at Our Lady Of Sorrows Church. The Holy Rosay will be recited at 9:00 a.m. followed by the Mass. The interment will follow after the mass at Mt. Calvery Cemetery.

Please join the family for a reception after the burial at the Plaza Hotel.

The family would like to thank the staff at Anvoi (Corrine, Maggie, Devirae, Adi, and Emma), Dr. Jesus Tafoya, Fr. Rob Yaksich, the staff at AVRH, CSVRH Inpatient Rehabilitation, Odelia Healthcare and Gonzales Funeral Home. They also wish to express their sincere gratitude for each person that has sent condolences! They are humbled, pleased, and graciously appreciate each person that has reached out!

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