Eagleclaw Victoria went peacefully into the presence of his Creator March 31, 2021 at his home in Florissant, Colorado, as a result of cancer from his Vietnam service. Eagle was born in Manhattan, New York, May 21, 1945, to Jennie Castro Victorio and Arcadia Victorio. He is survived by his loving wife, Messina of twenty-one years, meeting one another during Sundance. He has one sister, Virginia, of Manitou Springs, Colorado. Eagle’s grandfather was Chief Victorio of the Cheracowaa Apache Tribe. His early childhood memories include playing in Little Italy and running through Central Park, Manhattan. He also enjoyed summers on his grandmother’s farm in New Jersey. By previous marriages, Eagle had three children, Theresa Victoria and Anthony Victoria, living in Piscataway, New Jersey, and Jade Victoria living in Rotterdam, Holland. Eagle had an extended family composed of Hunkapa children from the Sundance community who were adopted into the Victoria family.
Eagle studied architecture at New York University. Entering work life, Eagle was an ironworker in New York high rise buildings and rose to operating engineer. He put the last two pieces in place in the World Trade Center Twin Tower buildings. Interrupting his high rise building career, Eagle volunteered for Army duty and was trained in 82nd Airborne Special Forces, serving nine years including three tours in Vietnam. As additional service to his country, he was one of the original members of AIM, the American Indian Movement. He returned to his ironwork career via Woodstock and Wounded Knee (1973) and called to be Sundancer to advocate and fight for his people. Eagle was a guest on radio shows lecturing across the United States and also acting in movies.
Eagle’s life interests were extremely varied including bull riding, western reining, motorcycle riding, and singing on pow wow drums. His great love was his horses, Hawk, Tokala, and Wazaya, and his birds and cats. He had a strong and abiding faith in his Creator. He worked as a healing team with Messina helping people with dysfunctional family and addiction issues. Eagle had a great faith in his Creator, devoted his life’s energies to the service of his people through Sundance. He had a profound walk with God. During his lifetime he helped scores of people of both native American and varied backgrounds and faiths, including the many who may be reading this tribute. Eagle and Messina together founded the Cultural Center at Muhlenburg Hospital, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the well-being of peoples of all cultural faiths. His legacy continues in the lives of countless people.
Viewing is scheduled for 7PM, Saturday, April 3rd, at Mountain Memorial Funeral Home, Divide, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aztlan Native American Community Church, 7100 County Road 620, Gardner, CO 81040, 719-568-3397.
A Memorial Service will be scheduled for a later date.
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