A faithful man that impatiently implored God to take him, finally had his fervent prayers answered on Tuesday afternoon August 26th. Mentally sharp into his 99th year, Vincent Leo DeMilia was trapped in an uncooperative body and was quick to tell anyone who would listen that he wasn’t really living but merely existing. This beloved Dad, Grandpa and Wey Wey is most certainly, as commonly said, in a much better place.
Vinnie was one of eight children born to the late Michele Arcangelo DeMilia and Maria Antonia (Caposella) DeMilia on May 5, 1926 in the diverse and fondly remembered Front Street neighborhood of Hartford. Many life lessons were learned in these early years growing up in a large family during tough economic times and where love was shown, not only talked about, and hard work was expected and necessary.
It was in this neighborhood that Vinnie met his sweetheart, Barbara A. Sparveri and made her his “bride” on April 15, 1950. They enjoyed 60 years together before Parkinson’s Disease took its toll on Barbara on July 12, 2010. In their early married life Vinnie spent time in the Army National Guard and had many stories of his time and friendships made in Germany where he was assigned to a dental unit. Upon his discharge Vinnie and Barbara started their family in Wethersfield and finally settled in Newington and raised their children. They were involved in the activities at Holy Spirit Church, and enjoyed life-long friendships forged at the Knights of Columbus. They were always dedicated to any interests and activities of their children.
The majority of Vinnie's working years were spent at Holmes transportation company where he was a valued employed and hard working driver. After retirement he kept himself occupied with some travel, some socializing, some working out at the gym and mostly making himself useful to his family. He was passionate about many things, our country and politics which he loved to discuss, history which he read about voraciously, friends mostly gone now and always topping the list of importance, his family. Vinnie always said “family is the most important thing”.
Left to remember their Dad are William and Marie DeMilia of Newington and Rita DeMilia Peretto (James Peretto-deceased) of Rocky Hill and Highland Beach, FL. Vinnie’s treasured granddaughter whom he spoke to nightly, Dr. Nicole Peretto Hartford of Carlsbad, CA and his adored grandsons, William DeMilia, Jr. and his wife Nerissa of Forestville, Michael Peretto and his wife, Marisa of Wethersfield and Christopher DeMilia and his wife Ali of Somerville, MA. In addition, Wey Wey leaves his four great grandsons, Quintin, Miles and Harper Peretto, and Finn Hartford along with his four “little dollies” Nola Hartford, Lyla and Faye DeMilia and Rose DeMilia whose visits and photographs were one of the few things that brought that famously big smile back to his face!
Vincent considered himself fortunate to be blessed with an “extra son” Richard Riccucci of Essex. He is survived by in-laws, Carol Sparveri, Carol DeMilia and Andrew Kovtun as well as many DeMilia and Sparveri nephews and nieces. Long lived as he was, he was predeceased by all his siblings Angie, Mary, Rocco, Rose, Joe, Jenny and Mike and his in-law siblings Joseph and Roseanne Sparveri, Richard Sparveri and most painfully, his beloved son-in-law, James “Jimmy” Peretto.
In order to fulfill his wish to stay in his own home until the end he was supported these last few years by a trusted group of caregivers from Euro-American Homecare that included the ever faithful and favorites Anna and Mariia and along with the always available and amazing primary care physician, Dr. Jonathan Tress who always kept Vinnie going.
This proud, strong-willed, passionate, amazing, opiniated, consummate gentleman, father, grandfather, Wey Wey and friend, loved us fiercely and was loved in return and will be eternally missed. Instead of talking to his beloved Barbara in the photographs that he had surrounding him, he will now be enfolded in her loving arms! So long Dad! We love you!
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 9 at 12:30 p.m. at Annunciation Parish at the Church of The Holy Spirit, 183 Church Street, Newington. Family and friends may call at the church from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Parkinson’s Foundation, on-line at parkinson.org or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on-line at pancan.org.
