Vicente Roberto Abeyta
Vicente Roberto Abeyta was a strong and quiet man who was deeply faceted. More than that, he was rich with people that loved and respected the characteristics that were reflected on each of these facets. During his life Vince had been a sailor, a beau, a lineman for the county, a skilled gambler, an urban gardener, a cowboy, a grandfather, and always, always a beloved husband, father and friend. Regardless of the facet that was being viewed, Dad’s loyalty, charity, integrity and obvious love of life, family and friends were apparent.
Our father was also a proud man: proud of his heritage, proud of his country, proud of his family, and proud of his achievements. But within this deep reservoir of pride he was never prideful. He served on the USS Hoel in 1944, while still in his teens, and was there when the destroyer was sunk killing all but a 86 of it’s sailors, who were then left adrift in the ocean for another two days where even more of the men perished. To anyone who heard the story he would rightly be considered a war hero, yet he never shared these stories with his children or even his wife until very late in his life. In this same way there was never a time when his family heard him compare himself to others in a boastful way. Instead he was always quiet; commanding respect without having to ask for it and drawing that same level of respect to him simply by his actions and through his deep-seated integrity.
Dad was always strong in his faith and openhanded with his charity. Gifts and loans were generous, and assistance with any project was there for the asking. With his family all needs were met unquestioningly, but handouts were not given because that’s not the way one learns life lessons, and it was important to him that we learned to stand on our own. We did. As Ben has so eloquently put it, “A challenge then. A blessing now.”
While Dad was quiet, he was never cold. There was always a very warm, very loving heart in this man that would peak out at unexpected moments: his nightly ritual of goodnight kisses for Mom as he headed off to bed, a cache of love letters from a sailor to his wife, a special dinner out as a birthday or Confirmation treat for his children, a side trip to the Painted Desert on a family excursion to Albuquerque, brand new bicycles on Christmas morning, hand picked and cut Christmas trees that gifted the family with holiday cheer, a special tomb for a beloved pet under the tangerine tree. In short, Dad was a man of few words, but his smile and his actions bespoke volumes about love, charity, loyalty and friendship. For every word he reserved there are a thousand on the tongues of his friends and family that bespeak this quiet hero, and sing of the qualities of the exceptional man we have all been fortunate enough to have had in our lives.
Vaya con Dios Vicente.
A memorial service for Vicente will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 23, 2012 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Please visit www.menkefuneralhome.com to share memories and leave condolences for the family
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We were lucky to have such wonderful parents. It’s easy to pcik among my friends those who will always keep their parents close. I’ll be looking to have a shared memory and a toast when you return. I literally lose my voice every time I talk this week. I read both your mother’s and father’s obituary and again you’ve expressed the love that children should have for their parents. Thanks for calling and we will talk soon. All the best to your family.
Dear Cousins. Your dad was obviously very loved — and just as obviously deserved the love he received.
He came from great family roots, inheriting qualities from our grandparents Marcelino and Miquelita that we all, their descendants, are fortunate to have had from our own parents.
I wish I’d had the opportunity to know him better. He is the last of the Abeyta siblings to pass. It’s up to us now to maintain the ties that bind us as family.
Sam and I send our sincere condolences.
Mr. Vince was a friend of my parents Dixie&Scotty i met him as a young teen and always enjoyed hos company. Thru the many years my children also grew to know him as a gentle man who loved everyone he came to meet.My kids called him the tamale man! He will be missed by all… RIP Mr. Vince love DeeDee
Dear cousins and family:
I really enjoyed the tribute to my Uncle Vicente.
To add another tribute, Uncle Vicente was the last surviving child of Marcelino and Miquelita Abeyta, of Alameda, New Mexico, where Uncle Vicente was born. Uncle Vicente thus came from the “best stock.” In her book, My Memories, his sister Josefina Velasquez reports that Vicente was a very gregarious young man who made friends easily and kept them all his life. Vicente often had his friends over and they would lend a hand with Vicente’s chores, especially hoeing weeds. Vicente especially loved to dance the Charleston and the Big Apple. My aunt writes that her brother enjoyed his work and passed his electrician’s exam with flying colors and then went off to join the Navy.
I want to thank my uncle in spirit and in prayer for his service to our country and for defeating our war time enemy to secure our country, our land, and our families. I also want to thank him for my best memories of his laughter, his wit, and for his perfect wry and dry sense of humor. God Bless You all. Tom Montoya and family.
In this time of sadness, we hope that the Abeyta family can heal their hearts with the cherished memories of their Father. Patricia, our prayers are with you and your family.
To the children of this great and wonderful father please know my condolences and those of friends distant are extended to you all. All that he was in form baptized our sacred mother earth with his loving tears, sweat and blood. All that he is continues to bless her now with every footstep each of you take. What he did for many was his gift to you, and what you do with him always in your heart is your gift to God. Be proud and most of all, be happy. He succeeded in life, family and love.
Namaste!
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Vicente (Vince); I and my parents Marty & John Juhasz have known the family since the early 60′s, I attended school with his children who had the same zest for life.
I have many memories of Vicente as they were our neighbors for a time and I will not forget the horse rides.
Mr. Abeyta, your are a wonderful man and will be deeply missed by all who knew you. May God Bless you and help you through this difficult time.
Duane Murdock (Juhasz)