Francisco E. Vega

Francisco E. Vega, 76, of Meriden, loving husband of Ann R. (DiGiulio) Vega, passed away on October 29, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico on October 4, 1947, a son of the late Emilio Vega and Tomasa Vega. Besides his wife of 50 years, Ann, Francisco is survived by his children, Frank Vega and his wife Mandi, and Angela (Vega) Moore and her husband David, his cherished grandchildren, Noah and Claire Vega, and Emalie, Tyler, and Madilyn Herzig. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his grandparents who raised him, Liborio Lorenzo and Telesfora Bonet, and his brother Walter Vega. He also leaves behind his brothers, Tomas Lorenzo and his wife Margarita, Jorge Lorenzo and his wife Santiaga, Luis Vega and his wife Awilda, and Samuel Vega and his wife Veronica, and his sister Lily Velez and her husband Ismael. Francisco also leaves his beloved godchildren, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and great-grandniece and nephews. He adored the time spent with them.

Before having the opportunity to graduate high school, Francisco was drafted into the United States Army, Bravo Company 3rd Battalion, 22nd infantry under the command of the 25th infantry. He bravely and honorably served in Vietnam during the Tet offensive 1967-1969. After his Honorable Discharge, he went on to Brooklyn Technical School to learn his trade. Francisco was a proud member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1746. He was a Machinist at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in North Haven and East Hartford, CT for 32 years until his retirement in 2010. Francisco loved to tend to his chickens and feeding birds. In the spring, summer, and fall, he could always be found meticulously maintaining his gardens and yard.

Friends are invited to visit with Francisco’s family on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden, CT 06451. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held in the funeral home on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the CT State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to The Headstrong Project at www.theheadstrongproject.org.