It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of VIEMS Sgt. Antonio Romeo Valentino Francis AKA “Tommy”, on Nov. 10 at the age of 59. He was born on St. Thomas on Dec. 25, 1964.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Anita Mercer Bonelli; his father, Hezekiah Francis; his sister, Judith Bonelli Johnson; and his brothers, Marvin “Breezo” Bonelli and Melvin Bonelli; his uncle, Howard Mercer; his aunt-in-law, Lillian Mercer; his nephew, Shemrad Isaac; his niece, Keshana Maxwell and his cousin, Monique Mercer.
He is survived by his sisters, Rosalie Bonelli, Joycelyn Bonelli, Juliet Bonelli Maxwell and Naomi Francis; daughter, Kemisha Francis; sons, Kamaal, Kamoui, Kamalee, Jmoy and Keyan-Jroy Francis; grandchildren, Kelecia, Kalaya, Ka’Myia, Ka’Myila, Ah’Myah Beaupierre, Kamalee II, Kamalee III, Oshun, Zaryia Francis, and J’Maila Francis Reinoso; mothers of children, Monica Brown and Carla Ritter; nephews, Rodney Thomas, James Newton, Gamal Johnson, Ishan and Jahudi Isaac; nieces, Deanne Springette, Sulayne Bonelli-Barrett, Yanique and Menisha Bonelli; sister-in-law: Verna Bonelli; cousins, Elston “Ricky” and Kevin Mercer, and many other great nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by special friends of the family, Antionette Peters, Carolyn Jackson, Dalis Goddard and family, I. Ashante Connor, Jolene Cartier, Keisy Reinoso, Maureen Jackson, Onija Thomas, Paulette Peters and family, Rasheem Richards, Rueben “Imay” Allamby and family, Shernella Thomas, Shernelle Tyson, The Petersen, Ritter and Warner families.
He also leaves behind the Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians and staff of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services where he served diligently for 22 years.
The first viewing will take place at the Omar Brown, Sr Fire Station on December 20, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. A second viewing will be held at the Blyden Memorial Chapel on Saturday, December 21, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m. with the service to follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be at the Western Cemetery.
