Famed balloonist laid to rest in NM

[December 23, 2010]  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Famed balloonist Richard Abruzzo was remembered for his adventurous spirit at his funeral Wednesday in Albuquerque, N.M.

The remains of the 47-year-old Abruzzo and fellow balloonist Carol Rymer Davis and their gondola were discovered Dec. 6 by a fishing boat off the Italian coast. That was two months after the ballooning champions disappeared while competing in a gas balloon race over the Adriatic Sea during a fierce storm.

KOB-TV says former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson was among family and friends attending the graveside service for Abruzzo at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Abruzzo is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two children. He was the son of famed balloonist Ben Abruzzo, who in 1981 was part of the first team to cross the Pacific Ocean by balloon. The elder Abruzzo was killed in a small airplane crash in 1985.

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Information from: KOB-TV, http://www.kob.com/

[Associated Press]

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