Francis A. Vernaglia, Sr. 84 of Abington, died on June 16, 2010 at the Brockton Hospital. He was born in Boston, Ma. son of the late Michael and Theresa (Maiorano) Vernaglia who immigrated to the United states from the Salerno region of Southern Italy. His family later moved to New Jersey and then to Rockland where he was a graduate of Rockland High School and where he met the love of his life Mary Lorraine Bedard. Mr. Vernaglia started his military career in the U.S. Army where he attained the rank of Tech Sergeant after just two years. After his honorable discharge from the Army he went to work for his father in the family grocery business located in Rockland. A year or so later, he joined the U.S. Navy. He was first stationed at Squantum Naval Air Station in Quincy until the base closed and he was transferred to the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. The last four years of his military career were served at Floyd Bennett Naval Air Station in Brooklyn, NY. After retiring from the Navy, he moved his family to Abington and worked for the General Dynamics Co. at the Fore River Shipyard and later was the owner-operator of a successful Snap-On tool distributorship franchise for many years. Proud of his long and distinguished career in the military, Frank was a longtime member of the Abington Post, American Legion and the Abington Veteran's of Foreign Wars. A communicant of Holy Family Church in Rockland, Frank had also been a member of the Abington Lion's club. Husband of the late Mary (Bedard) Vernaglia, he is survived by his children, Francis A. "Chickie" Vernaglia, Jr. of Fl., Teresa A. Terfry of Raynham, Mary Ellen Sipma of VA., Linda M. Howard of Wareham and Michael J. Vernaglia of Raynham. He was the brother of Robert Vernaglia of Fl. and the late Rudolph Vernaglia. Also surviving are his sister-in-law and companion Mary E. Vernaglia of Abington, 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. The Vernaglia family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate Francis' life at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home 135 Union Street, Rockland, on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 8:00 AM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Holy Family Church at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.