Vernon Philip Aubin–sweet, amazing Mike, age 102, passed peacefully on Aug. 30. Born on Nov. 5, 1920, to the late Frank and Bessie Ambrosio Aubin, he was a lifelong resident of Bristol. His wife, Claire Irene (Brault) Aubin died in August 2010.
Mike lived through The Depression and World War II. He served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper from July 1942 to September 1945 and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was part of the landing in the Invasion of Normandy at Utah Beach and the Liberation Force of France. He took part in the Battle of the Bulge and finally in the Occupation of Germany.
He was a member of St. Ann Church, Bristol, and is a 74-year member of the American Legion Seicheprey Post #2. Following his retirement from Marlin Rockwell Corporation in 1982, he was very active at the Bristol Senior Center. He drove a car until he was 98 and lived on his own up to the age of 100.
Summer’s ripe tomatoes will bring him to mind for his love of gardening. His favorite hobby was as a talented antique furniture restorer. He, along with Claire, was the pied piper of several generations of neighborhood kids who would gather on their patio to talk and talk. Mike was a gift of light to everyone who knew him.
A gentle man and a gentleman, Mike was a humble and ever cheerful person who could always find the humor of a situation, he accepted everyone for their best self, and could surprise you with his simple insights of people. His secrets to a long life – grow up eating the food you grew, keep busy and curious, live in the present by being content with what your life is, always find the positive of any circumstances, and put hot sauce on everything.
We can continue to celebrate and be inspired by Mike by smiling freely, keeping a cheerful outlook and by being friendly to anyone.
He is survived by his daughter, Christine Aubin and her husband David Danks; the grandchildren who he asked about every day, Henry Danks and Lucy (Derek) Stork; and a sister-in-law Velma Aubin, along with many nieces and nephews.
A special mention to his friends at the Bristol Senior Center, and the many neighbors he came to know.
He is predeceased by his older brother Isadore, and younger brother Harold.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 215 West St., Bristol.
Burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. There are no calling hours. Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, is honored to serve the Aubin family. Please visit Mike’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.
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