Family photo

Marcus Pino, Sr., a well-liked coach from the Navajo Nation, died on April 16, 2020. He was 42 years old.

Pino was father of 5 and a grandfather to 1, his family said. He lived at the Alamo Chapter in New Mexico, a remote community that’s separated from the main reservation.

“He was a well-known respected man,” Pino’s obituary reads. “Loved by many, he touched a lot of hearts.  He was well known for being the Alamo Navajo Community School Coach for Cross Country and his most loved sport Basketball.  He had alot planned for his family and the basketball team.  His death was such a shock and happened suddenly.”

Pino died of complications from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, the New Mexico Activities Association said. 

Coach Marcus Pino, Alamo Navajo passes away yesterday from COVID-19.

Coach Pino was a friend of all coaches. He was at every clinic. He always had a smile and would make a point to always say, “Hello, and if you need anything, let me know.”

He deserved the title: #coach pic.twitter.com/Xu86a37iGl

— NMHSCA (@NMHSCA) April 17, 2020

“We are terribly saddened to hear about the loss of Coach Pino,” Sally Marquez, the executive director of the association, said in a press release.  “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family and community.  This deadly disease has unfortunately taken one of New Mexico’s dedicated coaches and caring individuals.”

“I don’t know if anyone could have accomplished what he did for Alamo Navajo boys basketball,” said close friend and Magdalena boys basketball coach Jory Mirabal.  “His teams would always play with heart and class.  We have been district rivals for years, but more importantly we respected each other on and off the court.  I will miss our conversations about basketball and life.  I feel like one of my brothers passed on too soon.  It’s an unbelievable loss for his family, community and Alamo Navajo School.”

With social distancing guidelines in effect on the Navajo Nation, no funeral services took place and the burial was restricted to family. But the Alamo community turned out for a roadside farewell on the morning of April 24.

“This is a tremendous lost for the family and community of Alamo,” a family member on social media. “Marcus did a lot for Alamo through coaching the Boys of Alamo Cougars! He did work a lot in planning of the water department especially infrastructure.”

A public memorial will be held at a later date.

https://www.facebook.com/614719673/videos/10158458628469674/

The Alamo Chapter is located in Socorro County. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, 1 person there has succumbed to the coronavirus.

According to the Navajo Nation, 20 tribal citizens in the county have tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 24. With 39 cases overall in Socorro County, the data shows how the coronavirus is taking a disproportionate toll on the first Americans.

“Coach Pino was a friend of all coaches,” Buster Mabrey, the executive director of the New Mexico High School Coaches Association, said on social media. “He was at every clinic. He always had a smile and would make a point to always say, ‘Hello, and if you need anything, let me know.’”

“He deserved the title: #coach,” Mabrey said.