Richard Vecellio

Richard ‘Rick’ Joseph Vecellio, 64, unexpectedly passed away on February 21, 2022, from health complications. Rick was born on July 7, 1957 to Rose and Albert Vecellio, in Trinidad, Colorado. He graduated from Trinidad High School and went on to New Mexico State in Las Cruces where he earned a degree in Forestry Services. After college, in the late 70s, he followed his older sister and brother to Farmington, New Mexico, where he spent the remainder of his life establishing himself in our community as an employee at PNM, Key Energy, and most recently, BP, where he gave twenty years of his life as a Rig Supervisor before retiring in 2015. Throughout his career, he formed many successful relationships and left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with.

In 1986, while working for PNM, he met Virginia ‘Gayle’ Cordell, fell deeply in love, had quite the passionate courtship, and then married her on March 28, 1990. From this union they built a much-loved, eclectic, blended family. Together they raised six unique kids: Gina (Jimmy) Morris, Silver Williams, Slater (Kendra) Williams, Lamar (Brandy) Shroeder, Chad (Caitlyn) Vecellio and the precious, surprise baby they share together, Ashley (Nate) Finch. Even when faced with obstacles, discord, or conflict, they never hesitated to work as a team for the betterment of their family.

Rick truly treasured the time he spent with close family and friends on summer camping trips and during bar-b-ques. He delighted being outdoors and sitting around a campfire, laughing and telling stories. And family bar-b-ques always gave him something to look forward to because of the amusing and fun chaos that came with these gatherings. During Rick’s more quiet moments, he enjoyed watching old John Wayne westerns and was drawn to war movies because he felt a subtle connection to his dad, who died when he was young and was a highly-decorated paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. He savored reading James Patterson novels while cuddling with his dog, Bonnie, who will fiercely miss him, too. During Nascar and football season, you could find Rick intensely glued to his television cheering on Dale Earnhardt Sr. or the Denver Broncos, or, just as likely, cussing them out, usually while having a drink and exchanging harmless insults with those watching with him. Golfing was also a favorite past-time activity of his.

If you could have asked Rick to share some of his fonder memories, he would have endlessly talked about his trips to Mexico and Costa Rica with his wife, Gayle, and how they hung out on the beach enjoying the sun, each other’s company, and simply growing old together. Another one was the absolute carefree fun he would have each summer during the San Juan County Fair riding all the thrill rides and being silly with his daughter, Ashley, who he was so humbly proud of. He would also willing share details of the journey his son, Chad, took to become a fire chief for San Juan County Fire and Rescue District 6 Lee Acres. Rick’s absence will reverberate in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.

Rick was predeceased by his mom, Rose (Rino) Vecellio and father, Albert Vecellio Sr. He is survived by his older sister, Carol Ann Thomas, and older brother, Albert Thomas “Butch” Vecellio, his wife, Gayle, all his children, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and grandkids.

It was Rick’s adamant desire and request to be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 6pm at Cross Roads Community Church at 2400 N. Butler, Farmington. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Kelley, John Buck, Chad Vecellio, Slater Williams, Tyler Rogers, Shawn Morris, Nathan Finch, and Lamar Schroeder. A reception will immediately follow with drinks and snacks.