Vincent Joseph "Pops" Farrugia, 87, of Pensacola, FL, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

Vince was born in New Orleans, LA on March 4, 1933. He was a graduate of Jesuit High School, Tulane University, and L.S.U. graduate school.

In 1954, Vince married the love of his life, Jane Sherick, also of New Orleans. Vince and Jane were married for more than 66 years and together for nearly 70. They eventually settled in Pensacola, where they raised a family while remaining active at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church and supporting their children in swim and other community activities.

A true patriot, Vince served his country in the Korean Conflict as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Upon his return, Vince began a decorated career as a Master Chemist. He started with Standard Oil, Oronite Division in Belle Chasse, LA and was later recruited by Chemstrand (Monsanto), which is what brought he and Jane to Pensacola in 1962. During his many years at Monsanto he was granted several patents on behalf of the company. After retiring from Monsanto, he went to work for North American Rayon in Elizabethton, TN. While there, and at the request of NASA, he designed and developed a rayon fiber specifically created for the heat refractory system on the space shuttle tiles, thereby, protecting the shuttle upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. The Discovery was the first shuttle to carry Vince's fiber into space in 1984. He was personally invited by NASA to attend its launch. Vince considered this to be his crowning scientific achievement. He then went to work for BASF in Charlotte, NC as a Senior Chemist, earning a few more patents for that company before his departure. Vince completed his career at Ethox Corporation, writing programs and manuals for the U.S. Navy, several of which are still in use today.

Vince had a strong sense of community. He served as President of Community Concerts and the Cantonment Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow award recipient. He gave up his weekends and countless hours to volunteer at his children's swim meets as meet director, stroke and turn judge, and starter. Vince was a stickler about the rules and once had to disqualify his own daughter from a swim race due to her false start, no doubt resulting in a quiet family dinner at home that night.

Vince even found time for a few hobbies. One of them was linguistics. He could translate 58 languages, and most were self-taught. He loved collecting stamps, piloting his own plane, computer programming, creating anything using his hands, nurturing plants, and perfecting the art of gift opening and storytelling. He also loved traveling the world with Jane. Most of all he cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter.

He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Farrugia (born Roccamena, Sicily); mother, Mary Sherville, both of New Orleans; brothers, Peter, Thomas Joseph Jr., and J.P.; as well as a sister, Rita Rabe.

Vince is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jane Sherick Farrugia of Pensacola; daughter, Marijane McKinney (Rex) of Pensacola; son, Alan Farrugia (Heidi) of Naples, FL; daughter, Karen Fillingim (Hank) of Alabaster, AL; daughter, Carol Lambert (Randy) of Pace, FL; 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be held 1:00pm-2:00pm Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pensacola, FL. Private family graveside will be held Monday, March 1, 2021 at Barrancas National Cemetery, with Fr. Chuck Collins officiating.

Active Pallbearers will be Randy Lambert, Ryan Lambert, Rex McKinney, Blake McKinney, Hank Fillingim, David Fillingim, Daniel Fillingim, and John Fillingim.

Because of Vince's passion for science and continuous learning, in lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions may be made to the Pensacola MESS Hall. The MESS Hall is a hands-on learning experience for students to experiment in Math, Engineering, Science and Stuff, Pensacola Mess Hall, 116 N. Tarragona St., Pensacola, FL 32502.

The family would like to give Special Thanks to Vitas Healthcare, Dr. Brent Videau, Dr. Ian Weisberg, and our beloved sister, Carol Lambert for her tireless efforts as Pop's healthcare advocate for many years.