Aldo Mattia Pietro Vaio

Our kind and loving father, grandfather, husband, and friend passed away peacefully on Monday, July 24th with family at his side.  Aldo Mattia Pietro Vaio (known as Al) was born on May 29, 1936, in Albuquerque to Aldo Ferdinand Vaio and Theresa Mantelli Vaio. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Rosemary Frank Vaio and son, Robert Vaio.

Al graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Albuquerque and spent one year at St. Joseph’s College lettering in baseball and basketball. He transferred to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana the following year. While at Notre Dame, Al spent four years in the United States Naval R.O.T.C. program and graduated  with a degree in Civil Engineering  leading to a life-long career in Construction and Building Materials. Al married his fiancé, Rosemary Frank, immediately after graduation and spent the next two years in the Navy as a Lieutenant Jr. Grade.  They had four children, Bruce, Beth, Lynn, and Robert.  He moved to a position as a Professional Engineer with the NM State Highway Department before entering the private sector as an Executive with Springer Corporation. Along with his business partners, Al purchased the Building Materials Division of Springer Corporation. As President, he and his team grew Springer Building Materials into the largest Ready-Mix Concrete and Sand and Gravel company in the state.   After selling Springer, Al remained at the helm of the acquiring entity, Western Mobile Inc. until his retirement.

During his career and well into retirement, Al remained actively committed to various organizations and businesses dedicated to the growth and well-being of the community. In this capacity, he held leadership positions in a variety of organizations: Associated Contractors of New Mexico, Albuquerque Economic Development, United Way, American Society of Civil Engineers, Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque Economic Forum, Rotary Club of Albuquerque, and the Notre Dame Club of New Mexico.  Al was also committed to many other Catholic and charitable organizations:  IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education, That Man is You!, Our Lady of Fatima Church and School, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, St. Pius X High School, Casa Angelica, Brothers of the Good Shepherd, Popejoy Society, and the UNM Lobo Club (where to the very end, he faithfully attended the Fall football games). Throughout his life, Al enjoyed boating and especially loved coordinating trips to Elephant Butte Lake, Navajo Lake, and Lake Powell. He loved music, sports, and most of all spending time with his family and friends.  Al was a true gentleman, one of the good guys, who never lost sight of his faith and family.

Al is survived by his loving wife, Emma Maria Vaio; his son Bruce Vaio and wife, Cindy; his daughter, Beth and husband, Dr. David Leon; daughter, Lynn and husband, Greg Notarianni; Daughter-in-law Laura Lee Vaio; and his dear cousin, Mary Menicucci, who was like a sister to him.

He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren - David Vaio and wife, Samantha; Brian Vaio and wife, Brittany; Kimberly and husband, Taylor Knopf; Allie and husband Connor O’Toole; Jill and husband Matt Nulle; Mark Leon; Joey Notarianni; Dan Notarianni; Alexandra and husband Steven Sykes; Brett Vaio; John Robert Vaio.  And his six great grandchildren - Savannah Vaio, Henry Vaio, Matthew Vaio, Sawyer Knopf, Aaron Vaio and Cecilia Sykes.

Al woke up every day with a prayer, a smile and gratitude for his family and friends. And if he wasn’t smiling, he was whistling a happy tune. He could play “Name that Tune” for hours.  To the end he was making friends and still curious about everything around him. A gentle person who always had his family as his number one priority.  Andare Con Dio!

A Rosary, Mass of Christian Burial, and reception will be held on Saturday, August 12th, 2023.  The Rosary and Mass will be at Aquinas Newman Center located at 1815 Las Lomas Rd NE, Albuquerque.  The Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass at 10 a.m. The Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery located at 1900 Edith Blvd NE. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Aldo’s name to one of two charities that were close to his heart:  IN! Pathways to Inclusive Education - to support the education of students with intellectual disabilities at https://inclusivehighered.org or That Man is You! - supports men to live and become a man in God’s image at https://paradisusdei.org/donate/.