Francis R. "Butchie" Vecchitto, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Hartford Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Beverly "Bev" J. (Hayton) Vecchitto for 57 years; inseparable in this life and now reunited again.

Born in Meriden on December 22, 1939, Francis was the son of the late Vincent and Mary Vecchitto. As a lifelong Meriden resident, he was employed as a plumber and pipe-fitter for many years and was a member of Local 777.

Francis enjoyed going on long car rides and spending time at the shoreline. He always looked forward to outings with his children where his stories and jokes could be heard across a pizza or seafood restaurant, followed by his contagious laughter. Francis would often be seen walking his loyal companion, Diamond, stopping to talk with anyone who passed by him. When family and friends walked through his door, Francis met them with good food, conversation, and company. Whether he was at the casino, visiting cousins, or riding in the car, he could always find a reason to say, "Don't worry about nothing."  Francis loved his family fiercely and will be terribly missed.

Francis is survived by his 10 children: Frank Vecchitto, Jr., Mary (Vecchitto) Gallo and her husband Paul, David Vecchitto, Dianna (Vecchitto) Zimmitti and her husband Vincent, Christy (Vecchitto) Capparella and her husband Alfonso, Carrie(Vecchitto) Carroll and her husband Bob, Peter Vecchitto, Michael Vecchitto, Jeffrey Vecchitto and Tony Vecchitto and his wife Milly. He is also survived by his sisters Josephine (Vecchitto) Forster and Diane Tirado, and his brother Vincent Vecchitto. He had 23 cherished grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers Thomas Vecchitto and Bruce Tirado, his sister Phyllis (Vecchitto) D'Agostino, and his grandson Frankie Vecchitto.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hartford Hospital for the compassion and care given to Francis over the past 2 weeks.

Funeral services for Francis are private and under the direction of the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home, 450 Broad St.