Damaso "Maso" Vega

Damaso “Maso” Vega, 79, of Cranston, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2026, at Roger Williams Hospital, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on December 11, 1946, in Guayama, Puerto Rico, Maso was the third eldest of twelve children born to the late Domingo Vega and Carmen Fontane Vega. He grew up in Guayama, where he graduated from high school and developed a passion for athletics. An accomplished track athlete, he earned recognition in the local newspaper for his success on the track and also enjoyed playing softball. As a young man, Maso moved his family to New York, where his second son was born. Still in his twenties, he relocated to Rhode Island, where he made his home for the remainder of his life. Maso spent more than 20 years working at Conley Casting in Warwick as a sandblaster and painter before retiring in 2023. Throughout his life, he also worked in manufacturing, window cleaning, and at Carousel Village in Roger Williams Park where he met Joyce Reed his longtime partner of 25 years who preceded him in death. Together they shared a love of baseball, music, and many memorable trips to Fenway Park to cheer on the Boston Red Sox. A devoted New England sports fan, Maso rarely missed rooting for the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Baseball remained one of his greatest passions throughout his life. He played on numerous softball teams and most recently was a proud member of the Rhode Island Senior Softball League, playing for his team, the Grazianos. Maso truly loved life. He found joy in the simple things like playing dominoes with family and friends, and taking long walks through nature with dear friend and mother of his two daughters, Candida Franco, along with their two beloved dogs. He loved all kinds of music, especially salsa and cumbia, and counted El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Celia Cruz, Shakira, Barbara Streisand, and Johnny Cash among his favorite artists. He also enjoyed listening to B101, and the station’s annual Top 100 ’80s Countdown was something he looked forward to every year. A man of faith, Maso often attended church services with his daughters and cherished meaningful spiritual conversations. Never one to stop learning, he picked up the guitar in his seventies with the goal of playing songs by Johnny Cash. He had a generous heart, and was known to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Maso was a free spirit with a wonderful sense of humor who lived in the moment, always believing that everything would work out in the end. He is survived by his children, Hector Vega of Providence; Damaso Vega of Guayama, Puerto Rico; Maria Melvin (Mama) and her husband, Chauncey Melvin Sr., of Cranston; and Rosa Corona (Mumu) and her husband, Abdallah Alamrat, of Rhode Island. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Dianiris Vega Velazquez, Chauncey Melvin Jr., Cheri Melvin, Marcos Corona Jr., Joel Corona, Lindia Corona, Marisol Vega; and his beloved great-grandchildren, Jomar Franco, Zulianid Franco, Brooklyn Perrault, Jahnile Mendonca, Mirabelle Melvin, Damian Corona, and Tayanna Melvin-Wolfsberger. Stepchildren and step grandchildren, Maria Hudson and her husband, Stephen Hudson, their children Isaiah and Elijah Hudson, Jacklyn Harry and her children Jacklyn, Michael, and Kevin Hall, and Salena Adams. He was predeceased by his stepson, Ramon Robles Franco. He is also survived by his siblings, Domingo Vega Jr. of Staten Island, New York; Carmen “Socky” Vega of Guayama, Puerto Rico; Iris Vega, of Guayama, Puerto Rico; Angela Vega of New Jersey; Elvira Vega of Guayama, Puerto Rico; Wilfredo Vega of Guayama, Puerto Rico; Jorge Vega Sr. of Providence; and Idalia Vega of Providence. Predeceased by sister Maria Dolores Vega, baby brother Johnny Vega, and baby sister Reyita Vega. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Maso will be remembered for his kindness, his warm hearted nature, and the love he had for life and his family. He made those around him feel welcomed and loved, and will be sorely missed by those whose lives he touched. His strength, generosity, and appreciation for every moment leave behind a legacy that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. A Celebration of Life will be held on a date to be determined for family and his closest friends. Additional details will be shared with invited guests. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff at Roger Williams Cancer Treatment Center and Roger Williams Hospital for the compassionate care they provided during Maso’s final days. “He taught us to live in the moment, to find joy in the simple things, and to believe that everything would be okay in the end.”