Thomaston - Mr. Francis Joseph Vigeant, 91, passed away peacefully on December 20, at Litchfield Woods in Torrington, surrounded by his devoted family. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (Ptachcinski) Vigeant. Frank was born March 19, 1924, the son of the late Eugene and Irene Vigeant of Northfield. Through his boxing association he became a favorite town personality known as the "Thomaston Express" (fast moving, no-stopping "express" force of packing mean, sledgehammer punches). A boxing career that ended in 1950 didnt put a stop to Franks fight at being the best husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, relative and friend possible. Frank won the fight. In 1942 Frank joined the Navy and was stationed in the South Pacific on the USS Holland. While in the service he fought more than fifty bouts for the Pacific Fleet Welterweight Championship. Coming back to Thomaston, Frank was always working, running, repairing, caring for kids, etc. As a devoted communicant of St. Thomas Church, Frank was active in church affairs as an usher and collector, was involved in the Catholic Council and the Retreat League. He was a 67 year member of the Knights of Columbus Council 18 and had served as the Grand Knight. He officially retired from Hartley Drawn Metal Tube Co. in 1989. Frank cared. His greatest joy was his immediate all-embracing family. He thought the world of them and would do anything for them. They were the center of his universe, his life revolved around his wife, eight children, fifteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Franks creative touch included involvement with sketching, drawing and painting. His specialty was as a cartoonist. Amusingly funny caricatures were always displayed on anything he could get his hands on - napkins, envelopes, bags, etc. Dort and Frank signed all their greeting cards with Franks sketch, usually cartoons of them both. In addition to his wife of 67 years, Frank is survived by his eight children, Nancy Pisani and her husband Tony of Middlebury, Danny of Colorado, Terry and his wife Debbie of Terryville, Robert, Tim and his wife Lori and Dennis and his wife Nancy of Thomaston, Elaine Possemato and her husband Richard of Waterbury and Paul and his wife Robin of Plymouth; fifteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and his brother, Paul Vigeant of Waterbury is his surviving sibling. Arrangements: Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 27, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Lyons Funeral Home 46 High St. Thomaston. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, December 28, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Franks name to the St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury 34 Willow St. P.O. Box 1612 Waterbury, CT 06721 or to the Thomaston Volunteer Ambulance 237 South Main St. Thomaston, CT 06787.

Service Information Cemetery Saint Thomas Cemetery Altair Ave. Thomaston, CT 06787-____ --> Visitation Sunday December 27, 2015 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Lyons Funeral Home 46 High Street Thomaston, CT 06787 --> Service Monday December 28, 2015 10:00 AM St. Thomas Church One East Main St. Thomaston, CT -->