Charles Edward Digneo

A wonderful son, brother, uncle, and cousin – and a great friend to so many -- Charles Edward Digneo passed away peacefully on April 12, 2018 after a long battle with cancer.  He was 63.

Charles is survived by his brothers James Digneo and Robert Digneo (wife Rita and daughter, Maggie, Charles’s beloved niece), cousins Bernadette Digneo (husband Bill Gould) and Vincent Digneo (wife Nicole) and nephew Declan, cousin Adrienne Digneo (husband Terry Knickerbocker) and cousins Bill Lockhart, Mike Lockhart and Sherrie Niedbala (husband John).

He is survived also by many second cousins, including Rick and Robert Berardinelli of Santa Fe and many other relatives and friends.

Born in Santa Fe, NM on July 15, 1954, Charles was the second of three sons of Robert Roy Digneo and Mary Clare Henry.   He graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1972 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts at the University of New Mexico in 1979.

Charles was a 38-year employee of United Blood Systems in Albuquerque, where he made many lifelong friends.

Charles was named for his great-grandfather Carlo Digneo, the patriarch of the Digneos in America.   The Digneo family, along with Bernardinellis and Palladinos, immigrated from Italy in the 1870s and became prominent builders in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, including the construction of the St. Francis Cathedral Basilica in Santa Fe and the first building on the campus of the UNM, as well as many homes, churches and office buildings. 

Friends and family knew Charles as a very sweet, generous and caring person, always ready to extend a helping hand.  He was an artist and a musician, and an avid swimmer.   He said he extended his college registration at UNM for years only so he could retain access to the university pool for his daily one-mile swim.  

The family wishes to thank his many friends from United Blood Services, including Kent Gray, Lorrisa Church and Renee Garcia, for their incredible support, especially these last few months—and the doctors and staff at Lovelace Cancer Center, including Dr. Yubao Wang, for their special care.

A celebration of the life of Charles Digneo will be scheduled later in Albuquerque.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to St. Michael’s High School, 100 Siringo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505   505-983-5373

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