Vincent Patrick Diaz

1928 - 2011

With Big Band music playing softly in the background, surrounded by his wife and daughters, Vincent Patrick Diaz died peacefully at home on Sunday evening.

Born on September 28, 1928 in Ventura, California, he was the youngest of seven children born to Pedro and Rosalinda Diaz. A life long Ventura resident, he grew up in the neighborhood known as Tortilla Flats. He attended Holy Cross School and was an altar boy at the Old Mission. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1946.

In 1956 he married the love of his life Ann Nunez at the Wee Kirk Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. A hard working and industrious man, Vincent put the welfare of his wife and daughters first. At times he held three jobs in order to provide for his family.

In 1949 he started his career as a Service Consultant in the automotive industry. He worked for various GM divisions including Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac. In 1993 he retired from Vreeland Cadillac. His charm and courtesy as well as his professionalism and integrity earned him the trust and respect of both his colleagues and customers.

He was a musician who played the guitar and brought the love of music to his daughters. He started his career with his cousin Tony Flores. They played together for many years as Los Caballeros and in the Tony Flores Trio. He was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 581.

In addition to music,Vincent loved sports. He enjoyed watching the Ventura High Cougars and the Ventura College Pirates. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Stanford Cardinals and the UCLA Bruins. He loved animals of all kinds but he was especially fond of cats.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Ann, his daughters: Marcia of Manhattan Beach, Christine of Goleta, Valerie and son-in-law Mark Morgan and grandchildren Alicia and Patrick of Carlsbad. He is also survived by his sister Mary Diaz of Tucson, Arizona as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would also like to include Carl Arm strong of Ventura who was his best friend. Vincent's family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Jeffrey King, M.D. for his guidance, The family would also like to express their deep gratitude to the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Association and their staff for their dedication, compassion and the loving care they provided to Vincent.

The recitation of the Rosary will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. Mass will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 12 noon at Mission San Buenaventura. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park. Vincent was entrusted to the care of the family owned Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura; 643-8623.