Tomas C. Vigil

Tomas Tommy C. Vigil, went to heaven on February 17, 2012 at his home after fighting a long battle with liver cancer. Tomas was born on May 31, 1956 in Santa Fe, NM to his parents Sixto and Maria Elena Vigil. He was raised in Pecos by his grandparents Jose and Valentina Vigil. Tomas was preceded in death by sons Milagro and Seferino Vigil, father Sixto Vigil, grandparents Jose and Valentina Vigil, Marcello and Aurelia Sandoval, and brother-in-law and sister, Doug and Olivia Blevins. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Beatriz Vigil; sons Jacobo and wife Jennifer Vigil, and Cuauhtemoc; daughters Venessa and husband Ray Chavez, Feliciana, Natalie and husband Nephtali Ramirez, and Vidalia; mother Maria Elena and husband Ruben Hita; sisters Zianna Vigil, Jo Huntington, and Tessie Manno; brothers Eliseo and wife Gerry Sandoval, Alan and Guillermo Vigil, Stevo and Doreen Gonzalez. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Celina, Isaiah, Diego, Emilio, Israel, and Eden, who are his pride and joy. He also leaves behind numerous beloved tios y tias, primos, nieces, nephews, compadres and friends. Tomas served in the US Navy. He was an active member of the local community and always had a strong passion for preserving and sharing the Chicano/Mexico-Indio culture and traditions. He dedicated many years to serving the local youth as an employee of Comunidad y Cultura, The Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club and Girls Inc. of Santa Fe. He served as the assistant Director of Inter-Cultural Affairs under Mayor Debbie Jaramillo. He was an original founder of Santa Fes Museo Cultural and Co-founder of Feria Cultural. He created local programs which celebrated the artistic culture of the local Hispanic community and was also founder of Nuestra Raza a program that promoted and documented local Hispanic culture through photography and video. He was an honored Compadrito of the Danza Chichimeca Azteca and had close relationships with his family of the Jemez Pueblo. Tomas passion was for his family and sharing the rich and diverse cultural, spiritual, and agricultural traditions with them. Recitation of the Rosary was held February 24, 2012 at Saint Anthony Parish in Pecos. A Memorial service was celebrated February 27, 2012 at El Museo Cultural in Santa Fe. Memorial contributions in his honor can be made at The State Employees Credit Union of New Mexico under Tomas and Beatriz Vigil. Honorary Pallbearers were: Jacobo Vigil, Cuauhtemoc Vigil, Eliseo Sandoval, Xavier Velasquez, Stevo Gonzales, Paul Rebolledo Sr.