Florante Galinato Cajas, a loving brother, beloved uncle, kind neighbor, and a friend, passed away at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 18, 2025, at the age of 73.  He was predeceased by his parents, Floserfida Galinato Cajas and Bartolome Mamaclay Cajas; and brother Florentino Galinato Cajas.  He is survived by his 2 siblings, brother Florencio and sister Flora; 8 nieces and nephews and 5 grand-nieces and nephews.  Born on May 1, 1952, Florante was raised in the small town of Bayaoas, Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Philippines until migrating to the United States at the age of 18.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Florante held many entry level immigrant jobs: cook/server at McDonald’s, a Union 76 gas station attendant/mechanic and a car mechanic at a Buick dealership.  He eventually joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio, Texas for his basic training. He then went to Colorado Springs to receive additional training and hone his technical skills in radar systems.  While in Colorado, he enjoyed skiing in the winters and hiking in the summers.  When he was stationed at Williams AFB in Maricopa County, Arizona, he purchased a house with his brother Florencio in Mesa and where his parents eventually settled for retirement and followed by the rest of the family from California.  He was also stationed in Guam where he helped manage the radar and x-ray screening systems.

After 14 years of service, Florante ended his U.S. Air Force career at Kirtland Air Force Base and settled in his beloved Albuquerque.  He joined Sandia National Labs where he excelled at trouble-shooting systems and electronic devices.  He became an expert technologist in all things electrical - lasers, radar, fiber optic communication systems, integrated circuits, and semiconductors.  He supported his team with many research papers which are published online with Sandia and IEEE.  He loved his job and his coworkers and was a valued team member whose expertise was sought after.  He lived the American dream, rising from an immigrant to having a successful career with the DOD and DOE. 

Florante was passionate about fixing things from electronics, mechanical devices, cars and everything in between.  He was very generous with that special skill, helping his family and friends with any needed repairs.  There was not a thing he could not fix.  He was also very much into health, fitness, and natural remedies.  His hobbies included exercising through dance - Salsa, the Cha-cha, and Zumba; he was very proud of his Zumba community.  He enjoyed hiking the Sandia Hills near his home.  He loved basking in the morning sun for his vitamin D and using the sauna/steam room which he felt removed toxins from one’s body.  He also enjoyed listening to old romantic music from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Paul Anka.

Florante lived an authentic life and was not shy about expressing his thoughts, beliefs, and ideas, even if it was against the grain of conventional beliefs and practices. He loved get-togethers and enjoyed the company of friends and coworkers; and visited his family often in Arizona and California where his sister, Flora lived.

He enjoyed playing with his 8 nieces and nephews (Shanna, Sheryl, Bart, Grace, Mark, Richard, Ariel and Danielle; and 5 grand-nieces and nephews (Liliana, Christian, Cecelia, Gabriella, Donovan) when he visited them.  Always kind, he was a big part of their life and made many fond and happy memories.  He will be missed by his family and friends.

Florante’s Celebration of Life will be on October 24, 2025, 6:00 – 9:00PM at the Hampton Inn, 2300 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Memorial Service and committal will be at a later date in Mesa, Arizona at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1562 E Baseline Rd, Mesa, Arizona and will be next to his parents.