Manuel Vigil

On occasion in one’s lifetime you meet a person who leaves a lasting imprint on your heart. For us that is our precious father, grandfather, brother and friend, Manuel D. Vigil, 83, who was lovingly escorted by a choir of angels to heaven’s gate, on September 5, 2018. Manuel was born and raised in his beloved town of Cundiyo, where he remained all his life on the family farm. He was a simple man; hard working, fun loving, and always had a kind word for everyone he met. He spent his life raising cattle, horseback riding, and took pride in the local chile, vegetables and alfalfa fields he grew year after year. Tending to the land and helping others, were traits he felt important to instill in his children and grandchildren. Upon his retirement from LANL, he worked for over a decade as a volunteer at Santa Cruz Lake, greeting locals and out of town visitors alike.

Manuel was preceded in death by his parents, Marcos and Floripa Vigil, baby brother, Ernesto and an older brother, also named Ernesto.  He is survived by his children, Lloyd (Isabel) and Lloyda (Danny), his grandchildren, Ryan Franklin Ault and Tyler Rey Vigil, mother of his children, Martha E. Vigil, sisters, Corina Pool and Fedelina Lopez, brothers, Jose Ramon (Aurelia) Vigil and David Vigil as well other loving family and friends. Manuel was a friend to many; but there are several who were a constant in his life; namely Walter Trujillo, Severo and Alvaro Vigil, Henry Romero, Charlie Esquibel as well as his nephew, Leroy Espinoza and Nicole Fresquez who he considered like a granddaughter.

A rosary will be recited at Holy Family Church in Chimayo at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday September 8, 2018 with the Funeral Mass to follow immediately thereafter at 10:00 a.m. His final resting place will be in the Cundiyo cemetery.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are his nieces and nephews; namely Albert Vigil, Marilyn and Lillian Martinez, Tina Lopez, Diana Quintana and Roy and Larry Lopez. Our hearts are also forever grateful to the nurses and aides from “Giving Healthcare” and “Compassus Hospice” who took such loving care of our beautiful daddy and grandpa. The family of Manuel D. Vigil has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.