Edward Vega of Wurtsboro, formerly a resident of Florida, N.Y., for 30 years, entered into the world of souls on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. He was 92.
The son of Juan Augustine Vega and Carmen Rita Veles Vega, he was born on Oct. 2, 1926, in Manhattan.
Edward was a Navy veteran, who served our country at the young age of 17, spending three years as a battleship gunner on the USS Sagittarius in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He and his fellow mates were responsible for bringing down several kamikaze planes.
Edward noted that the years spent serving his country were some of the best years of his life.
He met his loving wife Pura working with pocketbooks in the Garment District and both were determined to create a better life for themselves and their children. Coming from a poor background with loving-strict parents, he was determined to be a homeowner. His dream came true with the purchase of a two-family home on Taylor Avenue in the Bronx, and finally a single-family home in Florida, N.Y., which he loved dearly.
He enjoyed being a social butterfly, going to parties (even if it was just an ordinary gathering), never sitting still, the Yankees, and his puppy pal Finley. “Skrimps” (referred to in the common tongue as shrimp) and pizza were his favorite foods.
Edward was a loving, generous and encouraging father, grandfather, and friend. He will be remembered for his go-to welcoming attitude, his meticulous, spiffy wardrobe and well-groomed coif. He was the most dapper man from the Bronx.
He is survived by his daughter Jean Toomey and husband Daniel; son Edward Vega and wife Mary; granddaughters: Shayna, Cailin, Dina and husband Tony and Jenna and husband Juan; great-granddaughter Mia Bella; sister Stella Fernandez; sister-in-law Cecilia “Ceci” Charres; niece Belinda Harris; niece Joanne Chavis; niece Vivian Hollins; nephew Dennis Fernandez; his girlfriend Juanita “Jenny” Ramirez and her daughter Carmen; along with many other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his amazing wife, Pura Charres Vega.
Visitation was held on Aug. 8 at T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida.
A funeral mass was held Aug. 9 at St. Stephen’s Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick.
Burial was in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Warwick.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org and the American Heart Association at Heart.org.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home.
To send a condolence online, please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com.