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Johnny J. Vigil, Jr. Former Democratic Santa Fe County Chairman, Johnny J. Vigil, Jr., beloved father, grandfather and brother passed away peacefully with his children at his side on April 26th, 2003 after a lengthy illness. Mr. Vigil is survived by the loving mother of his children, Olivia Richardson Vigil, his children, Linda and husband, Timothy Feeney of St. Charles, Ill, Eileen and husband, Richard Reinders of Littleton, Colorado, John Joseph III and wife, Isabel Vigil of Albuquerque; and extended family, Charles Gaines- Vigil and wife, Ruth of Espanola, Deidre Chavez-Greenly and husband, David of Colorado Springs, Colorado. His grandchildren include, Tim Feeney, Melissa and John J. Vigil IV, Sara J. Sigala, Cassandra Pojar, Julian and Alex Chavez-Greenly, Alicia, Destiny, Angel, Rene and Sheila Gaines-Vigil. Also, three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. His sisters, Tina V. Martinez, Socorro V. and husband, Arthur B. Aragon, Celine V., and husband, George Gonzales, Olivia and husband, John Bacon, Georgia and husband, Johnny Gutierrez; and maternal aunt, Vivian Naranjo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Juan Jose and Teodorita Vigil; step-son, Phillip Carroll; and brother-in-law, Polito E. Martinez of Talpa, N.M. Johnny was born on March 21, 1929, in Santa Fe, N.M. He was raised with his five sisters on Canyon Road and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1948. He attended the College of Santa Fe and served in the US Navy during the Korean War. Returning from the Navy, Johnny became active in the Democratic Party and served as Santa Fe County Chairman. He will be remembered for his work and his compassion for the people he came into contact with during his public service. Johnny had a tremendous passion for music. As an accomplished local musician, he had one of the first mariachi groups in New Mexico and a dance band known as the Tune Toppers. He shared his passion for music as a concert promoter bringing numerous well-known American and Mexican artists toSanta Fe, including Chubby Checker, Javier Solis and Vicente Fernandez. Johnny's work in radio, and his original"Jardin de Melodias" introduced a variety of Latin music to the local airwaves. Johnny's life was a gift to many and he will be missed by those who came to know and love him. Services are as follows: A rosary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Fe on Thursday, May 1, at 7:00 pm. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 2 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Interment following at the National Cemetery. The following will serve as pall bearers: George Anthony Gonzales, Patrick Gonzales, Javier Gonzales, Danny Marmion, Ronald Fernandez, Donald Martinez, Politio Martinez, Jr., and Johnny Gutierrez. Honorary pallbearers, Polito Martinez, Sr. in memorium, George Gonzales, Arturo Aragon and John Bacon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Vista Care Hospice IPU, 601 Martin Luther King B1vd., NE, Unit 10 West, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, 984-8600.
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