John Barboza Vincent

2/28/1936 - 10/14/2022

New London - John Barboza Vincent, 86, resident of New London, entered eternal life, "Airborne All the Way," Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, surrounded by his family. John was born in Norwich, Feb, 28, 1936.

He grew up on Laurel Hill in Norwich, where Cape Verdean families shared their love of family, heritage and culture. His trademark was the many hats he wore - 82nd Airborne Division; New York Yankees, Giants and UConn Huskies. John attended Laurel Hill School, and St. Patrick School where he served as an altar boy, playing basketball and baseball. He attended Norwich Technical School; worked at the Norwich Thermos; honorably served in the U.S. Army for six years, the 82nd Airborne Division; and returned home to work for Tobey Construction. Within Laborers Local 547, he worked as a Laborer/Steward; then at Millstone Nuclear Power Plant until his retirement.

John was a member of the American Legion Post #4 for 64 years, where he served as sergeant of arms, member of the famed 82nd Airborne Division, lifetime member of the Cape Verdean Santiago Society Inc. and member of the American Legion Color Guard. His favorite song was "I've Got Dreams to Remember" by Otis Redding. His heart was filled with wonderful lifelong memories. John loved spending hours at Ocean Beach and the New London Pier.

Besides his wife Roberta J. (Delgado) whom he married Feb. 5, 1972, John is survived by three sons, Robert L. Howard II of Hartford; Eugene Simonds of Pascoag, R.I., and Rocky A. Vincent of Sanford, N.C.; and sister Marion Livramento of Groton; grandchildren: Michelle "Shelito" Vincent, Deanna Daniels (Steve), Andrea Hadley, Sherica Watson and Brian McAden, Kamari, Robert III and Quincy Howard and Autumn Simonds. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Giovanni Vincent, Mercedes Vincent, Isiah and Zoey Daniels, Jade and Julius Totten, Gabriel Denecour and Julian Ramos and Teyonna, Markee and Shakyia Watson. John was predeceased by his daughter Tania "Tammy" Robin Vincent, who lost her battle to Leukemia Jan. 31, 2000. He was also predeceased by his parents, Anibal and Louisa (Williams) Vincent; brothers, Benjamin and Edward; sisters, Rita Ransom and Charlotte Fernandes; cousin Catherine Williams; and his best friend Roy "Boz" Barboza. John's dog Rusty was his faithful and loving companion and when he passed away, it left a void in his life. John could be seen driving around New London, in his Dodge Ram, with Rusty in the passenger seat. One could witness the "pride and joy" John displayed as he watched his granddaughter, boxer "Shelito" Vincent, win bouts and attained a record of 27-2-0 - winning multiple belts. Although Alzheimer's Disease eventually robbed John of his ability to communicate, the memories of his service to his country and Post #4 prevailed.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff Street, Norwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in John's memory. Ocean Beach was one of the places which he loved; his family will be purchasing a bench on the boardwalk in his memory.