Avila, Gregory F.
Gregory F. Avila passed away on Monday morning, August 24, 2015. He is survived by his mother, Gloria D. Shaw; Nancy K. Babecka-Avila, the mother of their two children; daughter, Dawn M. Montano; son, Mario J. Avila and wife Stephanie M. Avila; granddaughter, Jade E. Montano; sister, Jody L. Contreras and husband Ralph M. Contreras; her two daughters Samantha M. Contreras and Stephanie M. Gardiner and husband Stephen Gardiner, two children, Gabriel and Leah Gardiner, as well as his aunt, Josepha Cruz.
Gregory was a Naval Combat Corpsman in Vietnam and served with the
United States Marine Corps 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines at Quang Tri. After Vietnam, he came home to Albuquerque, New Mexico and joined the Albuquerque Police Department. While serving with APD, Gregory was shot twice in the line of duty, taking a total of six bullets â€" four in 1976 and two more in 1981.
He was a wonderful father and grandfather to his two children and granddaughter. He spent every moment possible with them â€" whether it was dance, cheer, numerous sporting activities, or simply being with those he loved most dearly. Gregory also loved to ride his Harley with his brothers from the Blue Knights, who had served with him in APD and various other law enforcement agencies. He could always be counted on to drop whatever he was doing and help his family and friends.
Gregory is also a devout Christian and has served in various categories at both the Catholic Church and later at Sagebrush Community Church, where he most recently served in the Jail Ministry at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque. Gregory's devotion to Christ has assured him his place in Heaven, where he is now with his father, Floyd Avila; his brother, Stephen Avila, son-in-law, Nathan Montano and many other family members and friends.
Please join the family in celebrating Gregory's wonderful and heroic life on Friday, August 28, 2015 with a public visitation at 10:30 a.m. at Sagebrush Community Church, 6440 Coors Blvd. NW, followed by Funeral Services at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 11:15 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Norm Montano, Anthony Kraemer, Klay Kraemer, John Hearn, Bob Coon, Scott Lopez, Stephen Gardiner and Robert Garcia. Please visit our online guestbook for Gregory at
www.FrenchFunerals.com.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
Bob Bruno
Greg, it was a year ago we sat at Santiagos on Eubank had coffee &Breakfast only to learn you, Jimbo Hines and myself were at the same village of My Loc in 1967. Appears all of us were wounded there at least once. You patched up many a Marine and sacrificed your own safety to do it. You, like myself and Jimbo did not do it without scars. They followed us home, they are over for you, so rest now. Hanging with Marines is tough and you proved you could do it as a Navy Corpsman! We were 4 miles from the DMZ only to run into enemy after enemy, day after day, but you hung in there.
Your life is like an exciting story book, the Navy loaned you to us and you became "Doc" revered by every Marine, everywhere. We never had a chance to ride our hogs together, rest assured I still have mine. Oh, the stories we could tell! Rest well my fiend, rest well......
Judee Dunlap (Blaich)
Greg, I remember you well from HHS but never knew that you, Bob Bruno and Jimbo Hines were all marines in Vietnam. I want to thank all of you for your service to our country and your sacrifice.
Jim Wyly
Hey Greg - Extremely troubling to hear of your passing. I remember the good old days and chilling with you at our buddy, Richie Beserra's house. I bet you are shooting hoops with him up there in the sky. Thanks again for your service. Rest in Peace my Friend. Your Bud, Jim W.