Obituary of Braulio L. Carbajal

Braulio L Carbajal peacefully passed away at the age of 74 in his Tucson, AZ home on June 8, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with recurrent meningiomas. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by those who loved him, while holding the hands of his beloved, Carmen and son, Ynes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abelino Leon Carbajal and Maria Lopez Carbajal. He is survived by his love, Carmen Carbajal; his children and their spouses/partners - Ynes and Della Carbajal of Tucson, AZ;  Anjélica Carbajal and Thomas Rose of Boston, MA; and Andréa and Ivan Bruzon of Peoria, AZ. He is also survived by his grandchildren - Andrea Carbajal, Nicholas Banning, Seth Bruzon and Navi Bruzon; and his siblings - Jovita Cordova, Estella Acosta, Benjamin Carbajal, Abelino Carbajal, Rigo Carbajal and Jaime Carbajal.

Braulio was born on January 4, 1949 in Moroleon, Guanajuato, Mexico. When he was old enough, he began selling paletas, Mexican candies and peanuts so he could save money to go to the local cinema and watch American movies which captivated him and rooted his love for American Westerns. At the age of 11, Braulio immigrated with this family to the copper mining town of Bagdad, AZ where he later met his bride, Carmen. They married on July 22, 1972 and started their family soon after. He managed the company owned grocery store in Bagdad where he was well liked and known for his work ethic, singing of Mexican ballads and his big heart. It was not uncommon for him to open the store after hours for someone who needed milk or bacon and eggs. He transferred to the mine in 1983, initially driving haul truck, then working in Mill Operations. He retired in 2015 after dedicating 48 years to the mining industry. After retirement, Braulio enjoyed traveling, going out for a nice meal and spending time with his family and friends.

Throughout his life, Braulio quickly made friends and was loved by all who met him. When not at work or watching his kids playing sports, he was often found in their driveway playing basketball with his kids and all their friends, earning him the nickname “Kareem Abdul Ja-Braulio.”  Braulio will be remembered for his quick wit, his laugh and his love of music, Westerns and peanuts; but most of all, he will be remembered for his love of family. His legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren and all those who had the honor of knowing him.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled on June 24, 2023 at 11:00 am at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa.  3800 W. Starr Pass Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 85745.

  In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that donations be made in his honor to the National Brain Tumor Society for meningioma research. https://secure.braintumor.org