Vignone, Michael Robert

Just three weeks following the passing of his oldest son, Michael Paul Vignone, Michael Robert “Pops” Vignone, 86, passed away on Monday, August 9, 2021 at Harrington Court in Colchester following a long battle with cancer.

He was born April 7, 1935, to the late Pasquali and Antoinette (Castelluccio) Vignone. Pops and his 10 siblings enjoyed a happy childhood while growing up in Bloomfield.

As a 9-year-old, Mike survived the tragedy that killed 168 people when the main tent at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford was engulfed in flames on July 6, 1944. Mike went on to attend local schools and graduated from Bloomfield High in 1956 following a successful athletic career which saw him serve as captain of the soccer and basketball teams. He met Anne Rago while attending Bloomfield High and the couple married in 1961 before welcoming their sons, Michael Paul and Stephen Joseph, into the world in 1963 and 1967, respectively. Pops worked for Malone and Sons and delivered meat products throughout Hartford from 1970 to 1977 before working as an inspector for 22 years (1978-1999) at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford.

Mike also served in the Army National Guard before retiring in 1964. An avid sportsman, Pops excelled as a catcher on fast-pitch men’s softball teams for more than four decades, enjoying unparalleled success on his Dovelettes and Reed Construction squads. He and his teammates claimed a number of national championships with Reed Construction. Pops was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 1993.

Pops was also a diehard fan of the New York Yankees and the NFL’S New York Giants, but his true loves were the University of Connecticut basketball teams, especially the women’s program, where he rooted on his Huskies as a season ticket holder for many years. Upon retirement, Mike enjoyed many special relationships in his role as one of the friendliest “Yellow Jackets” while serving as an usher at Uconn athletic events.

Most recently, Pops would greet students, teachers and other locals passing by on their way to or from school and work each morning and afternoon in his role as a crossing guard on Valley Street for the Windham School system in front of St. Mary-st. Joseph School. Regardless of the weather conditions, Pops wore the sunniest of smiles while helping his ever-growing group of friends greet their day on a positive note.

Mike is survived by his son, Stephen Vignone; grandson, Eric Vignone; two sisters, Phyllis Weeks and Helen Dlugokinski; former daughter-in-law, Laura; several nieces and nephews; a godson, Kevin Dlugokinski; his longtime companion, Helen Germain, and her daughter, Pam Germain; son-in-law Kier Vevesque; grandchildren Nicholas Levesque, Taylor Wexler, and Cory Mason. He was predeceased by his four brothers, Tony, Pasqual, Daniel, and Joseph; as well as four sisters, Theresa, Anna, Rosie, and Patty. Over the last few years, Pops enjoyed his many adventures with his ‘tour guide’, his oldest son “Viggy”, who always made sure his dad was included in all the fun and hijinks with their Deep End friends, pull tickets and a glass of ginger ale in hand. Pops was a special man and will be sorely missed by many.

There are no calling hours. A private graveside service will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.

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