David Pretto

DAVID ELIAS PRETTO, 92, died peacefully at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Monday, May 26, 2008. David was born on November 18, 1915 in Colon Republic of Panama, the son of Inez Alexander de Pretto and Elias Pretto. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 year, Hilda Ferro de Pretto, his parents and his brother Moses who died 22 years ago. He is survived by his two children Pamela Authement of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Fr. Franklin D. Pretto, Pastor of San Isidro Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, his sisters; Ruby Pretto de Forgnone of Panama, RP, Leah Lard of Shreveport, LA; Rebecca Riggs of Metairie, LA; Zila Goldberg and husband Joseph of Baton Rouge, LA; his grandchildren; Heather Authement of Lake Charles, LA and David Authement and wife Kimberly of Oklahoma, and great-grandchildren Jerome and Destiny Baca of Pojoaque, NM, children of Frank's son Thomas Baca and Jamie Viarrial, and many, many family members in the republic of Panama as well as in the United States. David Pretto owned and managed Materiales de Construccion, SA, a company formed in Colon, Panama. He operated that business until 1965 after which he worked in management at the Glidden Paint Co. in Panama City, for a time then retired to live a quiet life with his wife. He and his wife moved to Santa Fe in 1986 where they settled into a new life. David loved to play bridge and was also a voracious reader. We wish to thank a number of people who were very good with David during his illness. His caretaker, Carmen Vela; his doctor, Ira Berkowitz, MD, Carmen Montano, a close friend; Sr. Juanita Gonzales, SC; Pat Cahill, RN; Hospice Center, and numerous friends he and his wife made in their years in Santa Fe. Mr. Pretto has asked that he be buried with his mother at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Colon Republic of Panama near the love of his life, Hilda. No services are planned except the traditional Hebrew Kaddish at the grave site. His remains will be taken by his son to rest in his country of origin which he sorely missed. Please direct any correspondence to Fr. Frank Pretto, San Isidro Church, 3552 Agua Fria St., Santa Fe, NM 87507-1583 The Rivera Family of Santa Fe Funeral Options 417 East Rodeo Road Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 989-7032