Efrain Morales, 63, of Meriden, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

Efrain was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on June 18, 1957, the youngest son of the late Julio Bracero and Paula Morales.  He moved to New York City in the late 60's where he learned English and made friends fast in Brooklyn. His ability to meet new people and create strong relationships never changed. Efrain was a funny, loving, and kind-hearted person his whole life. He grew up loving boxing, baseball, and wrestling and though he was born with a physical disability in one of his legs that created a permanent limp, he still went on to become an excellent softball player throughout his youth and adulthood. As he got older he enjoyed building and fixing things (personally and professionally), being outdoors, shopping, and playing with his grandchildren and grand nieces and nephews. When he moved to Meriden, CT in 1996, he went on to make relationships with folks across the city and anywhere he went, he was bound to bump into a friend. His laughter was infectious and by talking to him you would quickly know that he loved nothing more than God and his family with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups coming in as a close third.  As he got older, he became more and more nostalgic and enjoyed music, comedy, Youtube videos and going to church. He often reminisced on his youth and loved to scour Ebay for favorites from his childhood like Magilla Gorilla, lucha libre wrestling gear, and apparel from all his favorite baseball teams. He was a Mets fan to the end, but loved all baseball memorabilia especially if it contained the color "red".

He is survived by his three loving children Esther Lopez of New Britain, Efrain Lopez of Meriden and Moses Clark Devost of Newington; his cherished grandchildren Anthony and Addison Acevedo; his brother Julio Bracero Jr. of Brooklyn; his nieces and nephews Ivette Bracero, Julio Bracero, Steven Bracero, Stephanie Bracero, Ivonne Bracero; grandnieces; and nephews Shamika Vargas, Erika Henriquez, Vanessa Miranda, Miguel Garcia, Matthew Garcia.  He was predeceased by his sister Margarita Bracero. While his family will miss him greatly, they are comforted by the years of wonderful memories and jokes that Efrain left behind. He was loved from a deep well of love and will always be remembered fondly.

Efrain's family will receive relatives and friends in the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden, Friday, March 26, 2021, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.  Interment will be private in New Jersey at a later date. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CALLING HOURS EFRAIN VIA LIFESTREAM TAP THE FOLLOWING LINK https://zoom.us/j/4050566286?pwd=OEdaS1h2aGZRSEh0b1BidDlkc2Rvdz09 YOU MUST KEEP YOUR COMPUTER ON MUTE. THANK YOU.