Clarence Lithgow

Clarence Vincent (Porky) Lithgow, Jr., was called to eternal rest on May 10, 2022.  He was born on May 6, 1938, in Santa Fe to Clarence & Josephine Chavez Lithgow.  Porky was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter Claudine and daughter Dawn, sister Bonnie Burch, brother Donald Lithgow, in-laws Manuel & Frances Apodaca Armijo, sisters-in-law Jennie Armijo, Patty Armijo and Peggy Ruiz, niece Nycole Forte and nephews Daryl and Jared Lithgow, and Craig Ripley.

Porky attended Santa Fe Public schools including Wood-Gormley Elementary, Harvey Jr. High, and graduated from Santa Fe High in 1956, where he excelled at tennis and lunch.  He graduated from the College of Santa Fe with a degree in Business Administration (Summa Cum Laude).  Porky was a member of the 20-30 Club, Elks Club, and the College of Santa Fe Alumni Association and was a Past-President of the New Mexico Municipal League.  He was very proud to be a veteran of the United States Navy serving on the USS Zelima (AF-49).

Porky started working early in age delivering singing telegrams on his bicycle although not always to the correct address, and completing his work journey with the City of Albuquerque.  He served in several capacities throughout his career in public service including Cabinet Secretary of the General Services Department, CABQ Chief Administrative Officer, and Director of the Local Government Division, and was thrice elected as a City of Santa Fe Councilman.

Porky’s most important treasures and possessions were his faith in Jesus Christ, his wife, his family and friends and the numerous four-legged critters that occupied his house and food pantry.  He was very happy and proud to be a grandpa, and enjoyed teasing and spoiling his grandkids at every opportunity.

Porky is survived by his wife of 61 years Loretta Armijo Lithgow, daughter Loreen Lithgow, son C. Vince Lithgow III and wife Karen, granddaughter L. Rachel Lithgow, grandson Joseph V. Lithgow, Nick Torres (Brookelynn), Adriana Torres and great-grandson Ezio Bravata; sisters Hilda Lithgow Ripley, Bernadette Lithgow and Barbara Chavez (LCPL Mike), brother-in-law Fred Armijo, sister-in-law Gloria Lithgow, life-long compadre and “partner-in-crime” Don Moya, along with many relatives, extended family and friends.

A rosary will be recited at 9:00 am on June 2, 2022, at Santa Maria De La Paz Catholic Community.  A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following the rosary.  Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:30 am.

Services are under the direction of Rivera Family Funeral Home.