Memories of Michael "Lucky Redneck Puerto Rican" Robert Vega

In memory of

Michael "Lucky Redneck Puerto Rican" Robert Vega

Largo, FL, USA

October 26, 1942 - September 16, 2020

Oct 26, 1942 - Sep 16, 2020

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Winnelle Bonilla

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Amy Vega

1957, East Randolph Avenue, Alexandria, VA, USA

Michael and Amy Vega on Easter Sunday

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Stephanie Uden

Amy Vega

When I was about 3 years old, I woke up, got out of bed and went to the living room. No one was around. I got scared and started crying. To my surprise, Michael came out of his room. I was so relieved. Instead of putting me back in my bed, he put me in bed with him. I felt so comfortable and went to sleep. What I didn't know was that our parents had gone out for the evening and he was home the whole time.

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Stephanie Uden

Donna Ney

I remember Mike mostly from the 70's. He and his family were my best friends and neighbors. Planting gardens and cooking hamburgers together are fond memories. To Julie and Stephanie and daughter remember you will be reunited some day and what a joyous day that will be.

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Stephanie Uden

Christina Reinhardt

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Nicholas Tabachuk

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Mari Jane Tabachuk

50 years ago I met my Brother in law, Michael. I have to say he definitely brought life to all our parties! He had a terrific, contagious laugh and kept things quite interesting ☺️ There are so many memories from our early years when he and Julie and my husband and I would get together , we took some fun trips together with our children to visit Stephanie for Thanksgiving.. our van was weighed down with so much stuff a cop pulled us over 🤣. Inside joke there..
Lots of memories in those 50 years!!! Weddings, Births, Deaths, Holidays, Grandchildren,Birthdays... good times.. sad times...
Life sure does move quickly.. cherish yours with those you love ❤️. You will be missed Michael... but always in our 💕
Gene & Mari Jane

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Nicholas Tabachuk

Stephanie Uden

Comments:

Nicholas Tabachuk

I can still remember what Uncle Mike was saying about being pulled over 😂 I loved those trips, listening ... Read more I can still remember what Uncle Mike was saying about being pulled over 😂 I loved those trips, listening to Uncle Mike and Dad... Read more I can still remember what Uncle Mike was saying about... Read more

Stephanie Vega

Thank you Aunt MariJane Thank you Aunt MariJane Thank you Aunt MariJane

David Ludwig

1990, Largo, FL, USA

Mr. Vega was one of those gentlemen who always wanted to help others. I knew him first as a coach for our Church softball team. He literally taught me a better way to swing the bat. Because of that, I gained confidence that I did not have before that. That new ability and confidence brought me to another level playing softball and baseball. Instead of being picked in the middle of the pack, I was became the guy picked first or better yet, sometimes I was doing the picking because I was captain....This happened because of Mr. Vega. I became more confident in other ways because of him. It may had been a small thing he did in his eyes, but it was huge for me. I’m grateful for that.

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Comments:

Stephanie Vega

Thank you Dave Thank you Dave Thank you Dave

Stephanie Vega

Dave my dad was a sales person , and look at you now Dave my dad was a sales person , and look at you now Dave my dad was a sales person , and look at you now... Read more

Stephanie Uden

My father was my softball coach and really enjoyed teaching other kids My father was my softball coach and really enjoyed teaching other kids My father was my softball coach and really enjoyed... Read more

Nicholas Tabachuk

2014, Largo, FL, USA

Easter

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Nicholas Tabachuk

He will be so greatly missed. I am so sorry Aunt Julie, he was your life partner! I am so sorry Stephanie, I know you looked to him for support in the most difficult of times and he was always there. Vanessa, you had one heck of a grandfather and you were blessed to get to know him. I am so sorry again, he was one of a kind and he loved you very much. He was so proud of his family.

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Comments:

Stephanie Vega

Thank you Nick Thank you Nick Thank you Nick

Nicholas Tabachuk

1992, Largo, FL, USA

When my parents had to work, or help out at our local church, I would go to my grandmothers. Without fail, Uncle Mike would show up every day we were there because he was coming every day to take care of my grandmother who was fighting cancer. He was the type of uncle, when at family gatherings, that made you feel included, would teach you how to make his famous “grill marks”, or take you with him to sell his gifts to the local beach shops. This particular Friday I was crying, I was just a child and I knew my parents were working the fair, but I didn’t understand why we couldn’t go. He fought to get ahold of my parents in treasury to get their permission to take me with him to the fair. There was a catch, I had to go on all the rides I was afraid of. This included the Ferris wheel with the cages you can flip. I was so afraid standing in that line, and he would smack me and laugh (with only a laugh he had), “You’re going to love it.” And I did. That wouldn’t be the last time he showed me to overcome my fears or reserves, he introduced me to many foods I had never touched otherwise, including gator tail! He showed up at our house one evening and told us it was chicken, I thought it tasted more like rubbery steak, but it was good none the less. He then pulled a gator head out, one of the items he sold and said “Well I’m glad you like it, because this is what you’re eating.” One Memorial Day, he took me with him to sell his post cards, keychains, etc to a local beach shop called “Boomerz”. On the way, he expressed to me “You have to have a gimmick, and you’re selling your self, not the trash in the back of the van.” I said “What is your gimmick?” He replied in his crocodile skin banded straw hat: “I am the original Puerto Rican Redneck!” We arrived to Boomerz and all of the staff including the owner were outside waiting for him, he was like a celebrity on the beach, a best kept secret. He unloaded at least three crates full of merchandise that day without even explaining what was being sold. He taught me so many life lessons, most importantly, family love and loyalty. He loved his wife and daughter, he didn’t show his love in the orthodox sense, but you could knew! When we were at his daughter’s, my cousin’s, graduation, he was so happy the days leading up, and so proud the day of. For all of his bark, his eyes welled with tears quite easily, and he was never afraid to give a kiss or hug. You’ll be sorely missed, I already feel the vacuum from your absence but I know you are no longer in pain. Even in the later stages, fighting cancer, he showed up to the late Easter Vigil which would have been very hard for him to do under the circumstances so he could see my wife Jessye Rae be welcomed in to the Catholic Church. All the things I can say are endless, he always made sure to show his love. For how this situation occurred, I thank his daughter Stephanie, and wife, my aunt, Julie Vega for allowing me to speak to him and say what I needed to. I love you Uncle Mike, I will pass your lessons on to my son, please keep an eye over Michael, say hello to Grandma for me. Love, your nephew, Nick.

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