Melvin H Vigil

Melvin H. Vigil passed away at age 61 on October 30, 2022.  He will be greeted in heaven by his wife Mary Ellen who passed away last summer, and his parents Ferminia and Erminio Vigil.  

He was born in Cuba New Mexico and spent most of his life in Albuquerque.  

He is survived by his brother Chris Vigil and Dolores Vigil, his sisters Katherine Vigil,Lorraine Watson and Michael Watson, Melvin’s daughter Yvette Garcia, son Jason Sanchez, grand daughters Alyssa Garcia, Jaylynn Rodriguez, grand son Jayson Rodriguezand great grand son Nathaniel “Thumper”Chavez who greatly loved his “Pah”.  

He is also survived by daughter in law Marisol Rodriguez, nephews Augustine Coss and Katherine George, Adam Vigil and Courtney Vigil, Mark Vigil and Shannon Vigil, Eric Vigil and Katie Vigil, Daniel Watson and Cathy Watson, Steve Watson and Jeana Ortigoza Watson, Robert Watson and Anita Watson and many other family members and friends.  

Melvin loved construction work.  Many of the projects he worked on now grace the homes of fellow residents and family members.

He was a framer, installed drywall, welder, landscaper, garage door installer, plumber and also dabbled in the world of oil rigs in the gulf of Mexico.

A memorial service will be held on November 18th at 9;00 am at Holy Family church followed by a reception at the Holy Family reception hall.

A special “Tip of the Hat” to the “Phantoms”.  

The Phantoms (you know who you are) were kids from Melvin’s neighborhood who brought many smiles and much laughter to Melvin by the practical jokes they played on Melvin many years ago.  

Jokes like toilet paper wrapped around his yellow Camaro or the cassette tape unwound in the interior of the car.  The house phone would ring, with a message for Melvin stating:

“The Phantoms have struck again, Mmmwahhhhhaaaa”.

PS, Melvin had to laugh because he liked the joke!!!

Melvin’s mother, our mother, Ferminia passed away at the young age of 47, Melvin was twelve years old at the time. It was shortly after, that Melvin, his sister Lorraine and their father Erminio moved to Albuquerque. 

Melvin spent several hours after school, waiting for his dad to get home from work.  It was during this free time that Melvin taught himself to play guitar. 

Music was in his blood.  

Melvin went on to form little bands and to entertain family and friends with his music, something we will all miss.

His music lives on, though his granddaughter Alyssa who is also musically talented.  He was so proud of her and loved to watch her perform.  He was also very proud of his other grand daughter Jaylynn, who always demonstrated her wit, intelligence, charm and her hard work and dedication.

Melvin was a happy, cheerful, and witty guy.  He made friends easily. Melvin was the type of person everyone loved and felt they had known him for a long time even though they had just met him.  He was there for anyone that needed him.

Melvin (and my dad) was also a bit of a practical joker.  

After our wedding, my husband Mike and I started building our home.  Mike and I stayed with Melvin at my dad’s house.  

On the weekend, I would leave to work early while Mike would sleep in and go work on the house later in the morning.  

One morning, before Mike got up, my dad and Melvin slightly jacked up the back end of the car.  When Mike got into the car and shifted the car into reverse, the engine roared but the car did not move.  

My dad and Melvin howled with laughter when they saw the look on Mikes face as he was thinking his car had a expensive transmission failure.  

Even Mike liked that joke!!