Florencio Vasquez
February 23, 1934 — March 4, 2024
Florencio Vasquez was born at home in Los Angeles, California on February 23, 1934, to Mauricio and Susana (Rosa) Vasquez. His father was of Mexican descent and his mother was of Puerto Rican descent.
Although he was born on the 23rd, Florencio was fortunate to celebrate two birthdays because the doctor did not arrive until four days later, signing off on his official birth certificate on February 27th. He was the youngest of four children and was raised in East Los Angeles where he attended James A. Garfield High School.
At the age of twenty, Florencio enlisted and proudly served the country with distinction in the United States Army from the 3rd of August of 1953 to the 2nd of August of 1961. He was awarded the Good Conduct and National Defense Service Medals among others and was honorably discharged at the rank of SP4.
On November 15, 1958, Florencio married Rebecca Rosas and together they raised their children, Hope, Madeline, Cathy, and Richard. The memories his children have are waking up to Saturday family breakfasts and watching their dad build and make household projects. Florencio was a man of many projects by fixing and repairing what was always needed around the house—a true definition of a MacGyver. Florencio was known to his family as Lencho and to his fellow colleagues and friends as Benny or Ben. He worked for Cal Alloy and Lansco Diecasting for over 30 years as a Machine Operator Supervisor.
As time went on and his children got older, Florencio decided to leap into a health frenzy and became a jogger, which shortly ended due to his knees hurting. Soon thereafter he established another hobby, becoming an avid cycler riding his Schwinn bike to his Nishiki bike up and down the coast from Los Angeles to Rosarito and Ensenada, great times he created for over 30 years. Florencio loved his oldies and doo-wop music. He also loved sports. He was a big Chicago Cub and Raider fan throughout his life. He was also a Laker fan and cheered for USC. He would wake up each day to watch the news and sit at the kitchen table with his toast and coffee. His Sundays were always dedicated to “Momma” taking her on long cruises in his 1957 Chevy and then upgrading to his 1989 Chevy S10. They had been married for 65 years.
He enjoyed spending the last few years close to his children and family. He was their Hero.
Florencio is survived by his wife, Rebecca, his children, Hope (Manuel), Madeline, and Richard (Annette), 48 Grandchildren, and 24 Great-Grandchildren. His daughter Cathy predeceased him.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
Although he was born on the 23rd, Florencio was fortunate to celebrate two birthdays because the doctor did not arrive until four days later, signing off on his official birth certificate on February 27th. He was the youngest of four children and was raised in East Los Angeles where he attended James A. Garfield High School.
At the age of twenty, Florencio enlisted and proudly served the country with distinction in the United States Army from the 3rd of August of 1953 to the 2nd of August of 1961. He was awarded the Good Conduct and National Defense Service Medals among others and was honorably discharged at the rank of SP4.
On November 15, 1958, Florencio married Rebecca Rosas and together they raised their children, Hope, Madeline, Cathy, and Richard. The memories his children have are waking up to Saturday family breakfasts and watching their dad build and make household projects. Florencio was a man of many projects by fixing and repairing what was always needed around the house—a true definition of a MacGyver. Florencio was known to his family as Lencho and to his fellow colleagues and friends as Benny or Ben. He worked for Cal Alloy and Lansco Diecasting for over 30 years as a Machine Operator Supervisor.
As time went on and his children got older, Florencio decided to leap into a health frenzy and became a jogger, which shortly ended due to his knees hurting. Soon thereafter he established another hobby, becoming an avid cycler riding his Schwinn bike to his Nishiki bike up and down the coast from Los Angeles to Rosarito and Ensenada, great times he created for over 30 years. Florencio loved his oldies and doo-wop music. He also loved sports. He was a big Chicago Cub and Raider fan throughout his life. He was also a Laker fan and cheered for USC. He would wake up each day to watch the news and sit at the kitchen table with his toast and coffee. His Sundays were always dedicated to “Momma” taking her on long cruises in his 1957 Chevy and then upgrading to his 1989 Chevy S10. They had been married for 65 years.
He enjoyed spending the last few years close to his children and family. He was their Hero.
Florencio is survived by his wife, Rebecca, his children, Hope (Manuel), Madeline, and Richard (Annette), 48 Grandchildren, and 24 Great-Grandchildren. His daughter Cathy predeceased him.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
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