Distasio, Vincent

Vincent Distasio, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, died Tuesday, March 28, 2017, two weeks shy of his 78th birthday.

He is survived by his daughter, Rena Distasio, and her husband, Kenneth Kinlaw, of Tijeras, New Mexico; son,

Joseph Distasio, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; granddaughter, Maya Distasio, of Albuquerque, NM; sister Claire Corrigan and husband, Michael Corrigan, of Naugatuck, Connecticut; sister Elizabeth Vigliotti of Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and additional family and friends from around the world, all of whom will never forget their "Favorite Cowboy."

Born April 15, 1939 in New York City to Vincent and Adeline (Caccia) Distasio, Vincent came west in the early 1960s and fell in love with the blue skies and expansive vistas of New Mexico. He taught high school science in Cuba, NM, for 10 years before moving to Albuquerque, where he excelled as a jack-ofall trades: journeyman meat cutter, machinist, home construction worker, tree trimmer—he loved to work outside with his hands. Most people, however, will remember him as a brilliant artist, and his paintings grace the walls of numerous friends, family, and collectors. In keeping with his passion for physical fitness and the great outdoors, Vincent was an avid bicyclist, and for nearly 40 years and until his death his main mode of transportation was his trusty bicycle.

A service will be held to honor his memory on Saturday, April 29 at 1:00 p.m. at the Sara Road Chapel of Daniel’s Family Funeral Home in Rio Rancho, NM, in the shadow of the Sandia mountains Vincent loved so much. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Vincent’s name to the UNM Children’s Hospital, New Mexico Friends of Foster Children, or Joy Junction.