Obituary : James “Vinnie” DeFlorio, Jr.

James “Vinnie” DeFlorio of Norwalk, Connecticut

1954 – 2024

Obituary

James V. DeFlorio Jr, 70, passed, away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 14th, 2024.

Vinnie was born on April 18, 1954, in Norwalk Connecticut where he lived most of his life. He grew up in Colonial Village where he made many important friendships, some of which become family and would last his whole lifetime. If you knew Vinnie, you were a lucky person. He was a true friend and would give you the shirt off his back. He was kind and sweet, but also someone you didn’t want to mess with.

When he was 18, he enlisted in the military. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1971 – 1975. He was a Door Gunner and Expert Rifle Technician. He received the following medals: National Defense service medal, Vietnam service medal, Good Conduct medal, and a Rifle Expert badge.

He was very talented and a self-taught musician. He started out playing drums on pots and pans in his mom’s kitchen. He had a group called “The Royal Flush” before he had joined the Marines. His passion for music continued later playing with the Boulevard, The Backbeats, Rock House, and Blue Water to name a few. He sang, played the drums, the guitar, and the piano. There was no limit to his talent. Through his life he had many jobs. One of his favorites was operator of the Stroffolino Bridge on Washington St. in Norwalk. He also worked for Modern Acoustics, Repro Graphics Plus, and Digi Print in Stratford Connecticut. To say Vinnie was proud of his family would be a huge understatement. The love he had for his family was unmeasurable. He treated his nephews like sons and showed his parents and siblings unconditional love. His daughter Melissa and her siblings were always number one. And then came along his grandchildren. The pride and joy of his life, the reasons he lived each day. Roy, Jason, and Phyllis were everything to him. There was never a time he did not show up. Every single milestone, birthday, graduation, baseball game, Football game, Theater play, concert, he was front and center. Always their number one fan. He was one of a kind and loved by many. He will be greatly missed. Always and forever.

He was predeceased by his parents, Helen Fox and James V. DeFlorio Sr, and his son-in-law Roy J. Gruner Jr. He is survived by his daughter Melissa Gruner and his grandchildren Roy J. Gruner III, Jason Gruner and Phyllis Gruner. His brother Frank DeFlorio Sr., and sister Mary DeFlorio: his nephews, Frank DeFlorio Jr., Paul DeFlorio and wife Jessica, Michael DeFlorio and wife Juliana, Robert Bergeron Jr., Chris Belline, and Mark Marrero.

Vinnie’s family will receive friends on Monday, November 25th, 2024, from 4pm-8pm at Raymond Funeral Home on 5 E. Wall Street in Historic Norwalk CT, 06851. Please visit www.Raymond.Care to leave an online condolence for the family.