Obituary: Phillip Bachicha

Phillip Bachicha, 65

The Rosary for Phillip Bachicha, 65, of Portales, will be recited at 7:00 PM, Tues., Jan. 16, 2024 at St. Helen Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Fr. Francisco Carbajal at 10:00 AM, Wed., Jan. 17, 2024 also at St. Helen Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Tony Pena, T. J. Rodriguez, Isidro Sanchez, Michael Bachicha, Patrick Vigil, Delbert Duran, Jr. and Jonathan Conrad serving as pallbearers. All of his nieces and nephews have been named as honorary pallbearers.

Phillip Bachicha was born Aug. 23, 1958, in Portales, to the home of Julia Ann (Baca) and Alfred "Al" Bachicha, Jr., and died on Jan. 10, 2024 in Amarillo, TX. Phillip was a 1976 graduate of Portales High School. Following his graduation he served in the National Guard for several years, attaining the rank of Sgt. For several years he was employed first at the local Gibson's store, and after it closed, he worked at the local Alco. In the early 1980's he moved to Albuquerque to work at Jones Inter-Cable company. He was employed there for approximately 10 years before he became disabled. A year or so later, he returned to Portales to live with family.

For a period of time, he stayed with his father to take care of his needs. The two of them had a regular routine of programs that they watched together on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Among other things they watched were the daily masses. Phillip was a dedicated Cowboys football fan, and a lifelong member of the Catholic Church.

He is survived by three brothers, Chris Bachicha of Portales, Joseph Bachicha and his companion, Nora of Truth or Consequences and Michael Bachicha and his wife, Rhonda of Atlanta, GA; seven sisters, Veronica Pena of Portales, Inez Rodriguez and her husband, Teofilo of Portales, Rita Sanchez and her husband, Isidro of Odessa, TX, Patty Salazar of Portales, Kathy Vigil of Portales, Becky Duran and her husband, Delbert of Portales, and Lucy Conrad and her husband, Kelly of Ofalla, IL; as well as a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Willie, Danny and Manuel Bachicha and a sister, Mary Ann Bachicha.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales. 575-356-4455, wheelermortuary.net