Deacon Cris T. Vega

Deacon Cris T. Vega, Passes Away at 67 Deacon Cris T. Vega, former Assistant Director of the Deaconate for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and a mentor to many Deacons, died last Monday in Los Angeles. He was age 67, Grandfather, Father, Uncle and Brother. Cris was born one of nine children to Heraclio C. Vega and Petra Terrazas Vega in 1940. He grew up in Silver City, New Mexico where he met his wife Olivia G. Valenzuela. He and Olivia traveled to California where they started a new life with the birth of their daughter Yvonne Marie Vega in 1963. Cris and Olivia also had a son, Cris Anthony born in 1967. Cris and Olivia instilled in their children a respect for family, faith and education. In the 1970s, Cris Vega worked as a lay person at St. Gertrudes in Bell Gardens. His wife, Olivia, administered the weekend Catechism classes. Cris� children also attended school at St. Gertrudes elementary. In May 1981, Cris Vega lost his wife in a severe car accident that also injured his daughter and sister in laws. After this loss, Cris decided to pursue an ordained life as a Permanent Deacon and was ordained in June 1985 at St. Vibianas Cathedral in Los Angeles. For over 20 years Cris Vega has worked as a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Deacon Cris Vega helped to mentor many new deacons and their families before he retired from Formation in 2005. Cris was an active Deacon and was working with St. Linus Parish in Norwalk. Deacon Cris provided comfort to others while maintaining a quiet dignity and humility. This was very evident when Deacon Cris lead vigil services. He comforted others as well as his own family. He presided over the burial of some of his brothers and sisters and most recently, he buried his daughter, Yvonne M. Vega, in June of this year. He died at Centinela Hospital due to complications of a recent heart attack that he suffered while visiting family in New Mexico. Deacon Cris had also received critical care at the Tucson Heart Hospital for two weeks prior to being transferred home to Los Angeles. Vigil Services will be held at St. Linus Church, Norwalk on Sunday evening, August 19, 2007. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Montebello on Monday August 20, 2007 presided by Bishop Gabino Zavala and many fellow deacons. He will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery with his wife following the funeral mass. A Reception will follow the burial and will be held at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Deacon Cris T. Vega is survived by his son, Cris A. Vega, daughter in law, Magaly A. Vega and his grandson, Elias Y. Perez-Vega. The family requests that donations to the Salesian Missions are made to honor the memory of Deacon Cris Vega in lieu of flowers. He is well loved and will be missed by many.