Vincent"Vinny" Befi

1953 – 2022

     Vincent “Vinny” Paul Befi passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his home in Niceville, Florida, on March 16, 2022.

He was born April 18, 1953, to Elizabeth and Peter Befi. He grew up in the Bronx, New York, with his younger brother, Peter Befi. 

Vinny met the love of his life Agnes Ann McParland in New York at the age of 16. They married in July of 1975. For almost 50 years, Vinny and Agnes cultivated a beautiful life full of love and joy. He lived life to the fullest right up until his very last day. 

       Vinny graduated from Iona College in 1975 with a B.S. in mathematics. In 1983, Vinny graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in systems engineering.  He was commissioned into the United States Airforce through the ROTC and served his country for 22 years, retiring in 1998 as a Lt. Col. His career included support to NATO, navigator service in bombers, and assignments as an electronic warfare officer. Vinny spent the next 17 years as a DoD test engineer with Jacobs Engineering, retiring in 2015.  Since his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering for his community,  taking cruises, spending time with his grandchildren, cooking, singing karaoke, and spoiling his beloved dog Brendan and grand-dog Autumn.  

     He was the best husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend around. He never missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand. A true extrovert who could strike up a conversation with anyone, he never met a stranger. 

Vinny is preceded in death by his father Peter Befi, mother Elizabeth Befi, and in-laws Paddy and Annie McParland. 

     He is survived by his beloved wife Agnes Befi, his brother Peter Befi, his children Christina Lyle (Jordan), Laura McCullers (Matt), and Vincent Befi, his grandchildren Nolan (5), Kaylee (3), Carter (1),  and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that became family who meant so much to him.

We will celebrate his life on Friday, March 25. The service will start at 11 am at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2201 Partin Dr N, Niceville, FL 32578. We will cheers and share memories at 6 pm at Amvets Post 78, 910 Valastics Ave, Valparaiso, FL 32580. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to be made to one of the charitable organizations that Vinny served: 

 Amvets Post 78-  910 Valastics Ave, Valparaiso, FL 32580

The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast

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