Daniel Piaso

PIASO, Daniel, age 84. Formerly of To’hajiilee, New Mexico passed away peacefully on Monday November 27^th, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.

His clans:

'Áshįįhi

Tábąąhá   

Tó baazhni'ázhi

Kinyaa'áanii

In this way he was a navajo man.

Daniel was born on July 15th, 1939 to Pablo and Lupe Piaso. He was born in To’hajiilee, New Mexico on what is known as Canconcito Band Land. When Daniel was young he was his Nali’s tail and that is where he first learned how to herd sheep and care for animals. By age 18 Daniel met his wife of 60 years Virginia Piaso. Daniel and Virginia had their first child; Ruth Piaso on April 5th, 1958 and two years later came Rose Piaso. After some time with his two little cowgirls along came Grace Piaso, six years later. About four years later the youngest Bealuh Piaso was born. With their four girls Daniel and Viriginia settled in a home close to Virginia’s family near plate mesa. With a growing family Daniel took it upon himself to build a home for his family. Daniel would carry large rocks by himself to help construct his home. With his ingenuity he would use barrels to prop up rocks towards the roof to reach the highest points of his home. Needless to say Daniel would always find a way to make things work. Because of this papa Daniel learned to become a carpenter, learned construction and learned how to silversmith. Papa was a jack of all trades. But what he loved most was his animals. He later purchased various registered horses where he taught his girls to ride and rope. Ruth, Rose, Grace and Beaulah aka Bon started barreling racing and he taught his daughter Beaulah how to train horses. In addition to his race horses he had hundreds of sheep/goats, he raised cattle, and also got into farming where he grew several corn stalks, melon, squash and fruits. He even helped his wife grow a sunflower field. Papa Daniel was also a teacher, he used his knowledge and skills to help mentor his wifes nephews which were Norman, Mark, David, Jimmy & Rex. He taught them how to sheer sheep, butcher and hunt. With their advanced sheering skills the boys would be called upon by Laguna/Acoma to help sheer sheeps. Through these relationships papa Daniel was able to meet other cattlemen and surrounding ranchers and they would help eachother during branding season every year. Unfortunately because of the hard labor and injuries he had to find alternate labor. This is when he sparked an interest in local politics and silversmithing. Daniel was a member of the Canoncito Band of Navajos Council (CBN Council) and participated in local chapter meetings as he believed strongly in better land management. In his new endeavor; silversmithing he traveled with his wife by his side. They would visit various Navajo Nation fairs and attend arts and crafts shows. However they’d always return home with a new animal to add to their family. As their family grew and his children started having children he started to receive more little helpers around the house. He again as a teacher, taught his grandchildren how to be self-sufficient. This included education. Instead of taking the bus he would drive his grandchildren to and from school. He even got the chance to take his grandbaby Deidre to college at New Mexico Highlands University. Papa Daniel loved his grandkids very much. He would participate in traditional song and dances with his grandkids and it became a family affair where he could spend time with his family and relatives. Once his grandchildren grew out of song and dance he and his wife would make it a point to visit his children and grandchildren. In one instance they showed up in Las Vegas, New Mexico without telling anyone just to visit one of his grandchildren. They stopped at a gas station and asked the attendant to call his granddaughter to come meet them. This was not out of character for papa daniel and grandma virginia. They loved to visit and check in on their grandchildren no matter the lengths. Aside from being a family man papa daniel liked to joke around with everyone he encountered. Everyone who knew him would always see a smile on his face. Especially if he was at the casino. Papa daniel lived a full life. Full of love, full of laughter and full of great memories. A journey well lived. Papa was a truly amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He is survived by daughters: Rose Piaso and Grace Piaso. Grandkids: Rochelle Yazzie, Tracy Yazzie, Stacy Platero, Courtney Hudson, Deidre Keener, Chantelle Blue, Antonio Larez, & Ty Piaso, 10 great grandkids and 1 great great grandchild.