Vincent James Megna

Vincent James Megna, 74, a longtime resident of Dedham, died peacefully at Norwood Hospital on Saturday, April 4, 2020. He was the husband of Lynda M. (Roche) Megna. Son of the late Charles and Vincenza (DiPerri) Megna, he was born in Boston and raised in East Boston until age 15 before moving to Norfolk. He was a Class of 1964 graduate of King Phillip High School in Norfolk and also graduated from Dean Junior College in Franklin. Vincent was a Private in the U.S. Army and a Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a resident of Dedham for the past 31 years. He worked in automobile sales for many years before retiring in June, 2018. He enjoyed boating and was a member of the Metropolitan Yacht Club in Braintree. He also enjoyed cooking, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family.

In addition to his wife, Vincent is survived by his children, Tina-Marie Ulery and her husband James of Greensboro, NC, Peter Megna and his wife Lisa of Apopka, FL and Jennifer Bekerian and her husband Robert of Marshfield. He was the brother of Mary Tallent of Abington and the late Jean Gibson. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services private. Interment will take place at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.


From his family:
The most notable characteristic of my dad was his height. At a towering 6' 5" tall he was head and shoulders above the rest. Literally. My dad was larger than life not only in stature but character as well. He was a good listener and could remember so many details from not only his own life but the lives of everyone around him. He knew where they worked, how many kids/grandkids they had (and their names as well) their hobbies, where they grew up. Seriously, it was quite impressive. And it was genuine. You always knew where you stood with father (which was usually several inches under him) and people just gravitated to him with his big infectious smile and booming belly laugh. You felt privileged to be his friend.

A hopeless romantic, my father was very charming and unapologetically chivalrous. Every Friday night he would bring home flowers for my step-mother. He held the car door open for her and pulled her chair out at dinner. They kissed IN FRONT OF THEIR CHILDREN, held hands, danced in the dining room when a song they loved came on the radio. He spoiled her with trips to the Boston Harbor Hotel for New Years, sitting on the back of the boat on the 4th of July to see the fireworks and spontaneous trips dining in the North End. He made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the room and we are all better spouses because of it.

My dad LOVED his family! He was so proud of all of his children and grandchildren. When he introduced us to his friends, you'd have thought we solved world hunger or had found the cure for cancer. Just this past summer all 3 of his children were home together for the first time in 15 years and he was beaming with pride the entire day. I'm so thankful he got that gift.

Dad was smart and he knew what would bring his family together…food! Every Friday night was pizza night at his house. So many fond memories of sitting around the dining room table with conversations that never seemed to lull. He taught us that "Family is first…no matter what." Plus, Dad was a fantastic cook! His mother's homemade sauce and meatballs recipe would rival any Italian restaurant today. And if your plate got the bay leaf…it was a symbol of good luck!

The grandkids have their memories of being on Grampie's boat. My dad was most at home on his boat. It was his sanctuary. He had a little dingy for the kids to float in at the marina and he would tease them telling them to "watch out for sharks!" and laugh that booming belly laugh. All the grandkids took turns sleeping on the boat with Grampie and Grammie. It was a rite of passage.

My dad had the most elegant and beautiful penmanship. His letters were swooping and loopy and very uncharacteristic of male penmanship which is usually identified with a doctor's script or a serial killer. Handwriting analysis of loopy and curly handwriting is: you're in touch with your emotions and sympathetic. Dad was definitely in touch with his emotions being Sicilian. He was a notorious hugger and with that massive arm reach no one was going to get away without receiving one. The bonus side is my dad always smelled wonderful. Seriously! So, you left with his scent of Grey Flannel lingering on your clothes and his hug lingering on your heart.

My dad was a car sales manager my whole life. I remember him picking me and my brother up in a convertible red Corvette. It was during the days of Magnum PI (which ironically my dad resembled Tom Selleck) who drove a red Ferrari. Unfortunately, I don't think my dad got the same response with the ladies as Magnum did especially with two young kids in the back. But he loved sales! He worked for several different dealerships over the course of his life and whether you were a New England Patriot or a fan of them, my dad treated you with the same honesty and respect.

Generous Tipper. My dad was a notorious big tipper. He knew everyone's names from the hostess to the busboy. He got to know the owners and in turn got the best tables, a complimentary bottle of wine or the big score: extra chicken fingers! (with 9 grandchildren this is gold!) He was like Norm from Cheers. Dad walked in and everyone yelled "Vinnie!" And just like the song, you were always glad he came.

Condolences are pouring in and everyone is saying the same thing over and over again "Vinnie was my best friend," "Vinnie always made me feel loved" and "Vinnie was the nicest guy, ever." It's only been days and the loss of his presence is so heavy and deafening. This world won't be the same without my dad but we have our wonderful memories and truth is, like my sister said, "His smile was home."

Salud, Dad!
Tina-Marie