Higinio "Gino" Misquez Gutierrez

Higinio (Gino) Misquez Gutierrez, 81 of Las Cruces, NM passed away September 29, 2023 at the Texas State Veteran’s Home in El Paso, Texas surrounded by loved ones.

He was the last of his Gutierrez siblings to pass on from this life to the next. Gino was born in Mesilla Park, NM on January 11, 1942, to Santiago Gutierrez and Marcela Misquez. Gino grew up in the small village of Tortugas, NM where he was raised among many family members and friends. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War but spent most of his time in Europe preparing supplies for those fighting during this conflict.

He is survived by his first wife Elisa Parra whom he married on December 4, 1963, and his children, Higinio (Gino) Gutierrez (Tina), Annette Tankesly (Jim), and Thomas Gutierrez. He was predeceased by his parents; Santiago and Marcela, Brothers; Alberto (Tito) and Arturo (Tudy) Gutierrez, Sister; Maria Martinez, second wife; Elizabeth Aguilar, Daughter; Lisa Scheafer, step-daughter; Erica Aguilar and grandson; Joseph Valles. Gino had many grandkids 15+, great grandkids 15+, nieces and nephews all of whom he dearly loved.

Gino’s true love and passion was his musical talents. He was partially deaf in one ear and could not read music but was talented enough to be able to play any tune on his guitar as soon as he heard it. He played in various bands from the early age of 16 years old, “The Big Beats” (1959), all the way into his 70s. He was part of many well-known bands in the Las Cruces area namely “Rio”, “Cruces”, “Genie and the Starliners” and “Midnighters”. He wrote several songs that have been sung by some famous singers as well, but his favorite songs were the ones that his mom loved to sing to him and his siblings in their early years growing up and which he would sing with his brothers’ and sister in remembrance of their loving mom. He truly loved southern NM food and just couldn’t resist any good homemade refried beans with fresh tortillas. Gino was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong belief in God and his Savior until the day he died.

A celebration of life will be held on October 27, 2023, at 10:30 am at Getz, Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Las Cruces, NM. Burial will follow at The Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery, Tortugas, NM.