A Story about Phil-

Phil (Phillip Daniel) Barela departed this life on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at the age of 80. True to his character, he lifted off quietly and peacefully in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the company of family members.

Phil's family – parents, siblings, wife, sons and grandchildren were always held at the very core of his being. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Noni Barela; son Daniel Barela (Laurie) and granddaughter Isabella of Denver; son Steve Barela (Maiya) and grandchildren Nambe and Miles of Geneva, Switzerland; sister Carla Barela; and sister-in-law Virginia Barela. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Margaret, and brother Paul.

Phil was born on January 3, 1942, the third of four children born to Esther and Eugene Barela. An Albuquerque native, he attended St. Mary's Catholic School. At age 16, he moved to Cañon City, Colorado, to complete his standard high school education at the Abbey School, supported by The Abbey of the Holy Cross, where he was deeply impressed by the happy, down-to-earth approach to life that he witnessed in the lives of the monks.

In his teenage years, Phil's mechanical interests led him to build a prize-winning soap box derby car, which took him all the way to the national competition. It was a favorite memory from his younger years; it became a torch that he passed to his sons in their own derby years, and it had a connection to some of his future work.

After finishing high school in 1959, Phil studied for two years at St. Benedict's Monastery in Kansas. In 1961, he returned to Cañon City to become a Benedictine Monk and resided in The Abbey of the Holy Cross until 1967. Taking into account young Phil's innate interest in vehicles, and their own ongoing need for a mechanic, the Benedictine community sent Phil to General Motors training to become a Master Mechanic. This became his full-time job, which he thoroughly enjoyed during his years at the Abbey.

After leaving the Abbey, Phil's life was extraordinarily active with a remarkable array of professional pursuits and personal interests. Most importantly, in every avenue of his life, he attracted lasting friends. Whether he met them through his ownership of a business, support of the Lobos or Broncos, while coaching them at basketball, doing his latest exercises, attending church, fishing, hiking, camping, or eating green chili, people grew to love Phil wherever he went. His friends date back to childhood, and they come from every chapter of his life since then. He touched people, and once they knew him, he remained in their hearts through the years.

There was always an abiding spirituality in Phil's approach to life. He saw every day as a golden opportunity for love and joy, and he was grateful. He embraced human life as a miracle, and he greeted it with a smile and a laugh every step of the way. He was vibrant and active and accomplished.

At the heart of it all was the quiet monk who offered unconditional love and acceptance, encouragement and inspiration, to all who were fortunate to know him.

A celebration of Phil's life and a reception will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Unity Spiritual Center of Albuquerque, 9800 Candelaria Road NE.  Bring a memory, an item to share, or wear something reminds you of Phil.  We will have an informal sharing at the reception.

Donations in Phil's memory may be made to any charity, including Hospice of New Mexico, https://hospiceofnewmexico.com/make_a_donation.php , Unity of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, https://unityabq.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1 and the New Mexico Peace Choir, https://www.nmpeacechoir.org/donate .

The Funeral Service will be live streamed and/or available to viewed any time after the service at the following link:

(Please note the link will not be active until his service time and will remain active after the services have been concluded.)

https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uscabq.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C7f57acf76b94493eb5a708da224bbc3b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637860005925380135%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s9jtOgX8lA4ZgwLsfI4%2Fa4sqczMJyboB39CLyfKYLU8%3D&reserved=0