Vidal Santillanes

Vidal Santillanes left this world on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, to join his beloved wife, Emilia (Millie) Urrea Santillanes in heaven. Vidal was born in Albuquerque in 1931 to Abran and Carolina Santillanes. Vidal grew up in Old Town, where he lived most of his life. He attended the original Albuquerque High School but left to join the Army at the age of 16. After his return home, he attended night school to earn his diploma and took classes at the now-defunct University of Albuquerque. He married Emilia in 1950 and they went on to have eight children. Vidal worked for the United States Postal Service where he rose to a supervisory role before leaving to run his own business. He and Emilia operated successful gift stores in Old Town and later at both Albuquerque malls. When his father became ill, he took over Santillanes Plastering, where he worked alongside his two younger sons, launching them into construction careers.

After retirement, he took on a major role in caring for his grandchildren, ferrying them to and from schools and supplying them with frequent fast-food treats. Vidal loved to read and passed that love on to his children. He kept up with current events, attended the gym three times a week before the pandemic, and enjoyed watching movies. Vidal had a wicked sense of humor and was a keen observer of human behavior. He was a valued member of Toastmasters, served as a lector at San Felipe Church for several decades, and represented a Spanish Conquistador at Albuquerque Founder's Day parades. He also served as one of the models for La Jornada installation on the grounds of the Albuquerque Museum.

Vidal is survived by his adult children, Abraham Santillanes and his wife, Janet, James (Santillanes) Doyle and his wife, Doris, Valerie Santillanes, Eugene Santillanes and his wife, Cynthia,Francine Santillanes and her husband, Patrick Lopez, Renee Santillanes and her husband, Rudy Garcia, Dominic Santillanes and his wife, Victoria Vivian, and Marina Rudolph and her husband, Paul; his grandchildren, Genevieve, Olivia Neidhardt, and Alexander Santillanes, Gabriel and Cassandra Sciarrotta, Vidal, Rosalia and Miguel Angel Santillanes-Lopez, Bianca and Zachary Garcia, Pablo and Cisco Santillanes, Jacob and Sophia Santillanes, and Joseph and Jonathon Rudolph. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Giana Santillanes, Madeleine Neidhardt, Fiona, Maeve, and Xanthe Krentzin, and Thaddeus and Gideon Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his great-grandson, Theo Krentzin.

Vidal will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Cremation has taken place. Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, September 23, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at San Felipe Church in Old Town. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Reception for family and friends will be held Friday, September 23, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.. The family wants to express our deep appreciation to Vidal's dedicated caregivers, Mary Garvalena and Gina Baca and his hospice nurse, Olivia.