Mr. Manuel E. “Bibs” Vargas, Jr. age 84, of Cliff Drive, Bristol, died peacefully Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was the husband of Elizabeth M. “Betty” (Heeks) Vargas, his wife of 51 years. 

Born in Bristol and a lifelong resident, he was the son of the late Manuel E. Vargas, Sr. and the late Lena (Cyganowski) Santos. Bibs served in the R.I. National Guard for several years. As a boat builder, Bibs was the owner-operator of Romarine, now owned by his son David, in Bristol for over 45 years. 

Bibs was a communicant of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, where he was active as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, licensed Chalice Bearer, a former member of the Vestry, Property and Fellowship Committee, and the chairperson and head chef of the annual St. Michael’s Chicken Barbecue for many years.

He was a life member of the Bristol 4^th of July Committee and the Bristol County Lodge of Elks B.P.O.E. # 1860. Bibs enjoyed life to the fullest, loving music, dancing, making guitars, coaching, and collecting watches, lighters, beer steins and vanity license plates (look for the “Bibs” license plate around town!).

In his younger days, he loved cars and even raced them at the Seekonk Speedway for a few years. He loved his family’s Friday night tradition of pizza night at Bristol House of Pizza for many, many years and sitting back in the evenings with his favorite drink (Absolut on the rocks, no fruit) while watching Fox news. Truly an entrepreneur and a craftsman, Bibs loved creating and inventing new things as a boat builder and in the fiberglass production world, loved having “irons in the fire” with his projects and ideas, and had an interest in renewable energy. Bibs will be lovingly remembered by his catch phrase, “You’re the best!”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Leesa Vargas, Lisbeth Ramsay (Enzly), Cynthia Rocha (Robert) and David Vargas (Jaclyn); six grandchildren, Elijah and Lily Ramsay, Lylah and Nadia Vargas and Logan and Evan Rocha; a sister, Dolores DeCastro; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. 

In addition to his parents, a daughter, Melissa Vargas, and a grandson, Justin Black, preceded him in death.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service to celebrate Bibs’ life on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 11 a.m. in St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 399 Hope St., Bristol. Burial will follow in North Burial Ground, 1081 Hope St., Bristol. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 414, Bristol, RI 02809. For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com The church service will also be live-streamed via Zoom (link and password below).

Time: Jun 15, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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