Norbert Cordova

Cordova, Norbert

Norbert  Philip Cordova of Albuquerque, N.M. passed away peacefully on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the age of 80. After complications to a hospital procedure surrounded by his beloved wife, children and family members.

Norbert fondly known as Tito to his family was born to Felipe Cordova and Elisa Otero-Cordova on October 17, 1942 in Tucumcari N.M. After graduation and heartbreak Tito and several friends made a pack to all join the service. However only his friend Tony and himself were accepted into the USAF. 

After Basic Training in 1961 Tito came to Albuquerque hoping to see the girl that broke his heart to show her that he did something with his life after all, guess you can say he wanted to show himself off to her. Tito got the opportunity to do just that. However, love had a different plan for his gal that once broke his heart Gloria Martinez had realized just how much she missed him and loved him and let him know, that’s all it took for Tito to ask her to marry him. Gloria immediately said yes and Tito was on top of the world in his mind he was thinking he would find out his orders as to where he would be stationed come to Albuquerque on his next leave and plan a wedding. Gloria on the other hand wanted to marry immediately. Tito’s Eat Your Heart Out Gloria was replaced with an I Do and an exchange of vows that they cherished for the next 62 years promising to one another In Sickness and  Health for  Richer or Poorer till DEATH DO US PART! This is a story that our Dad never got tired of telling he would tell it to us our friends our children and anyone that was willing to listen. It was a story that we never got tired of hearing.

Tito got stationed in Boise, Idaho after and this is where they began their family in 1962 they were blessed with their first son Lonnie then in 1964 they welcomed their 2nd son Dion. When it was time for Tito to sign another 4 years with the USAF he decided to not sign and bring his family to Albuquerque N.M. They purchased a home in 1968 the celebration of their home blessed them with their 3rd child a daughter Tisha. 

(Tito) better known as Phil at work landed a job with Quinn and Company NY Stock Exchange as a CPA but eventually he taught himself the Art of Printing and ran his printing shop in the basement of Quinn and Company in exchange to do their printing needs. However almost 20 years later and the death of Mr. Quinn his wife sold the company forcing Phil to have to start completely over in life. Printing is what he knew far too well, therefore he continued printing at a couple places eventually landing a job as a printer with The Albuquerque Journal but Phil was having some issues with his health which turned out to be a result due to all the years he printed therefore he ended up taking a supervisor position within the company until his retirement in 2008. After retirement he was able to spend every minute of the day with the love of his life making memories with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our Dad was a devoted Dallas Cowboy fan win or lose he never stopped being a fan. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons. The one word that we hear everyone describe our dad is “Kind” our Dad was kind and caring there is nothing he would not do for someone as long as he could. He was a devoted Husband, Father and Grandfather he will be greatly missed!

Tito is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Gloria Cordova; three children, Lonnie Cordova, Dion (Rita) Cordova, Tisha (Mary) Cordova; his nine grandchildren, Crystal Cordova, Amber Bishop, Christopher, Brandon, Anthony, Tristano Cordova Antonia and Joseph Romero and Miquela Brown- Bryant; five great grandchildren, Noah Cordova, Orrin Bishop, Layla Cordova, Atera Bishop and Michael Philip Cordova;  one brother, Larry Cordova and many nieces and nephews.

Tito is preceded in death by his parents, Felipe Cordova and Elisa Otero; his two brothers, Luther(Lou)Otero and James (Jimmy)Cordova.

Pallbearers will be Lonnie Cordova, Anthony Cordova, Dion Cordova and Christopher Cordova. Honorary Pallbearers : Joseph Romero, Brandon Cordova, Noah Cordova, Paul Sena, Nano Otero, Larry Cordova, Diego Garcia and Steve Otero.

A Visitation will take please on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 5:30pm with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 pm at Strong Thorne Chapel, 1100 Coal Ave. SE. A Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10:00 am at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5311 Phoenix Ave. NE. A Reception to follow at the Fraternal Order of the Police, 4120 Cutler Ave. NE to Celebrate the Life of a GREAT HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, BROTHER, UNCLE and FRIEND!

The Family would like to extend a Special thanks to Nurse Kay@LLWH and his ICU Nurse Ben@LLH Downtown and to his niece Yolanda Otero Pickup.

A very Special Thank You to his Great Niece Linda (Precious) Lee for all of her knowledge as a great ICU nurse and her compassion that she shared with all of us during our Dads time in the hospital as well as after his journey into Heaven. To view service information or leave a condolence please visit www.garciamortuary.com 

Garcia Mortuary

717 Stover Ave. SW

Albuquerque, NM 87102

(505) 243-5222