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PADILLA -- Ralph Vincent Padilla, born April 7, 1929 in La Junta, Co., and an Albuquerque resident since 1952, passed away after a long illness on Nov. 3 while surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Corrales. He was known as a man of talent, honor, decency, generosity, caring, humor and kindness whose first love was his family and who was a friend, mentor and teacher to each and everyone he met. His other great love was music. A graduate of the Fine Arts Conservatory in L.A. and West Lake College in Hollywood, Ca., he was an accomplished pianist who performed throughout his career with many of the best local and national musical artists, including Bobby Shew, Arlen Asher, Chewy Reyes, Jimmy Padilla, Michael Padilla, M.J. Wilde, Fenton Katz, symphony conductor Max Madrid, Connie Figueroa, Dick Trask, Nick Luchetti, Bob Martinez, Dick Tafoya, Jay Blea, Frank Gonzales, Duane Farmer, Cindy Tag, Gappy Maestes, Bob Brown, Vince Jordon, Jesse Sawyer, Jim Stalling, John Lewis, Frank Chewiwie, Sal Garcia, Pepe Cox, Sox, Prince Bobby Jack, Phil Gram, Harry Hanson - and so many others. In his final days, he said he wanted his fellow musicians to know, "It was an honor to have played with all of them." He was a Navy veteran of World War II as well, and often commented that he loved the Navy because it allowed him to experience parts of the world he might not otherwise have seen. He was also an active member of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. Ralph is survived by his wife of 56 years, Isabel Padilla; son, Michael and Kim Padilla; daughters, Claudette Spence and husband, Ben, and Mona Donahue; grandchildren Gregory Padilla, Elisha Hayes, Nikki Padilla, Melissa, Benji, Bradley, Katie and Kelsey Spence; and great grandchildren Sequoia and Hannah Padilla, Neveah Branch and Zachary Hayes. Also by brothers, Paul and Florentino Padilla; and sister, Elsie Gonzales. He was also favored by his wonderful nieces and nephews, loving in-laws and a large extended family of dear friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter Ruth Ann and son Jimmy Padilla. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Boys and Girls Ranch, an institution Ralph supported for over 40 years. An open house for friends and family will be held at the Padilla residence on Sunday, November 6, 2005.
        Published on: Sun November 06, 2005