Edwin G. Christilaw

Edwin G. Christilaw

1950-2024

Edwin G. Christilaw, MMC U.S. Navy (retired), passed peacefully surrounded by his family on July 29, 2024.

Ed was a New Mexico native, born in Cuba, son of Albertina Chavez and Gilbert Carabajal. He was raised in San Ysidro by parents Prisciliana Chavez and Richard Christilaw. He attended high school at Jemez Valley, then college at Eastern Arizona University, where he met the love of his life, Bernice Saucedo, of Clifton, Ariz.

After getting married, he joined the U.S. Navy as a machinist mate. Chief Christilaw survived three combat tours in Vietnam and retired after 20 years of honorable service. He then returned to his home state of New Mexico, settling in Belen, where he worked another 20 years with Sandia National Laboratories at Kirtland AFB.

Ed was a devoted husband and loving father of his children, Nicholas, Philip and Ariana. He was even more proud to be grandpa to Skylar, Nico Jr., Gilbert, Marisol, Sophia, Mateo, John, Hugo, Desiree, Brianna and Antonio.

Ed was predeceased by his wife of more than 50 years, Bernice Christilaw, on Dec. 29, 2021; daughter, Gloriana Christilaw; parents, Albertina Chavez, Preciliana Chavez, Gilbert Carabajal and Richard Christilaw; siblings, Ernesto Carabajal, Lawrence Carabajal and Dennis Carabajal.

Edwin was an active member of VFW Post 401, never missing a pool tournament and volunteered as an honor escort for the local Patriot Guard Riders. He was an avid outdoorsman, loved shooting hoops, riding his motorcycle, spending time with family and was always willing to help others. “Pops” was a kind and loving man, loved air guitaring, a nice polka and dancing cumbias.

He used his experience and compassion to train thousands of sailors, raise children and lived a selfless life, touching people’s lives all over the world.

Lastly, he gave his loving wife a wonderful life they shared together to the end.

Edwin is survived by siblings, Carmela Carabajal, Ben and Tilla Baca, Lawrence and Yolanda Chavez, Ray Carabajal, Geraldine Carabajal, Barbara Christilaw and Yvonne Carabajal; children, Nicholas and Marisol Christilaw, Philip and Juanita Christilaw, Daniel and Ariana Stange; grandchildren, Skylar Hoogerhuis, Nico Christilaw, Gilbert Christilaw, Sophia Christilaw, Marisol Christilaw, Mateo Christilaw and Antonio Christilaw; and great-grandchildren, Cielo Hoogerhuis, Iyza Labrador and Liliana Hoogerhuis.

Services for Edwin will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cuba, N.M. The Rosary will begin at 9 a.m., with Mass at 10 a.m. The family will be laying Chief Machinist Mate Edwin G. Christilaw to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2 p.m.