Miguel "Sonny" Ramon Provencio

1st Lt. Miguel Ramon “Sonny” Provencio, NM ARNG, Retired, born September 27, 1936, in Rincon, NM, to Pedro “Pete” Martinez Provencio and Leonarda Clark Provencio, left his dwelling place on earth and entered eternal life to be with his heavenly father and heavenly mother, the Virgen de Guadalupe, on December 12, 2020, in Albuquerque, NM. He was a lifelong resident of New Mexico, having resided in Las Cruces and Rio Rancho.

He served for 30 years in both the 642nd Maintenance Company and 2nd Battalion during two different segments of his service in the New Mexico Army National Guard.  He worked at the White Sands Missile Range as a Math Technician and worked with some of the original computer systems in use in the world until his retirement in 1973.  His love of all things to do with motor vehicles encouraged him to pursue a second career, and in 1974, he was graduated from the Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, as a Doctor of Motors.   He then worked as a heavy equipment Mechanic Technician for the New Mexico Army National Guard until his second retirement in 1987.  In his free time he enjoyed photography, capturing beloved memories with both still and video cameras, often sharing slide shows and film reels at gatherings with family and friends.

He enjoyed travelling, including annual summer vacations with his family to California, National Parks in the southwest, and enjoyed visiting his daughters and grandchildren wherever they lived.  He often observed that he may not have seen as much of the country as he did if they hadn’t moved to as many states as they did, and made an adventure of every visit.   Upon his second retirement, he enjoyed carpentry, attended area car shows, and worked on the restoration of his antique cars.  He often shared his knowledge of home and auto repair, as well as preventative maintenance skills with his family and friends.  As a result, he was frequently called upon for help when anyone needed advice or repairs, which he was always ready and willing to give.  Miguel was devoted to the Virgen de Guadalupe, and made many annual pilgrimages to participate in Mass as well as the Mass on her feast day of December 12th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Tortugas, New Mexico.

He is survived by his daughter, Diana Provencio-Marion and her husband Lee, grandson Gregorio Poling and his wife, Amanda , great-grandchildren Quinn, David and Audrey; his daughter,  Veronica Provencio-Mendoza, grandson Lorenzo Mendoza and granddaughter Elizabeth Mendoza, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. A special thank you to his nephew, Al Henry Provencio, who took him to festivals, movies, shared special meals for every birthday and holiday, especially when he became too ill to venture out. The family would also like to express gratitude to the Presbyterian Healthcare Services Hospice Inpatient unit for their care of him.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his elder sister Evangelista Provencio, who entered eternal life at the age of four, his younger sister, Evangelista “Lita” Provencio Carrillo, and his brother Alvin Provencio, all of whose memory he cherished.   At the request of Miguel, no formal ceremony will be held, the family will have a private family celebration of his life with Honorary pall bearers Gregorio Poling, Lorenzo Mendoza, Elizabeth Mendoza, Al Henry Provencio, Edward Ochoa, Lori Trevino, Mark Sedillo, and Dino Carrillo.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Daniel’s Family Funeral and Cremations, and Inurnment of cremains will be at Vista Vere Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, Cremation Garden Area 3, Sandia East Adobe Niche G39

In lieu of flowers, please contribute donations in memory of Miguel Ramon “Sonny” Provencio to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org/leukemia