Richard Abruzzo is laid to rest

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Family and friends said goodbye on Wednesday morning to Richard Abruzzo, the famed Albuquerque balloonist who died while competing in the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race in late September.

Abruzzo and his co-pilot Carol Rymer Davis were competing in the gas balloon race when their balloon went down during a storm over the Adriatic Sea. A weeklong search at the time didn't turn up anything until Italian fisherman hauled in the wreckage of the balloon containing Abruzzo and Davis' bodies on Dec. 6.

Abruzzo's widow Nancy flew to Italy to bring his remains home. A funeral mass was held there on Dec. 15. She returned home to Albuquerque on Saturday.

Family and friends are not only remembering Abruzzo for his accomplishments in ballooning and sports, but for his devotion as a family man.

"He was unbelievably funny and he was a fierce competitor," said former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, a close friend of Abruzzo's. "An absolutely fierce competitor and so, in that spirit of fierce competitiveness, it was always about living your life to the fullest."

Johnson was scheduled to fly with Abruzzo in the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in early October.

Abruzzo leaves behind his wife Nancy, daughter Mary Pat and son Rico.

The family asks for those wishing to send condolences can do so to Daniel's Family Funeral Services or the online obituary on the Daniel's website..