It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of August Lewis DeFrance, IV, beloved husband of Claudia Jones DeFrance, on Saturday, June 1, 2024, after a prolonged illness. Augie and his twin sister Jacqueline were born October 14, 1940 to August Lewis III and Matilda Butler DeFrance.

After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in the Class of 1958, Augie went to work for Hartford Electric Light Company. He immediately enrolled at the University of Hartford night school, where he earned his Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, and at the age of 40 earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Organizational Behavior from the Barney School of Business, all while raising a family.

Augie was a proud veteran having served in the Connecticut National Guard, and was a loyal member of the American Legion Post 75. His name is among those listed on the Vietnam Era Veteran's Wall at the Middletown Municipal Building. He was involved in many organizations, including being on the Board of Directors of the Dutch Point Credit Union, as well as being their second Treasurer, and holding that position for over 50 years. Augie was President of the Middletown Little League, President of the Middletown Old Burial Grounds, sat on the Board of Directors for Indian Hill Cemetery Association, Director of Godfrey Memorial Library and a member of countless city and nonprofit groups.  He was manager of Human Resources at Northeast Utilities/Eversource for over 40 years.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Claudia Jones DeFrance, his children August DeFrance, V and his wife Kristen (Higganum, CT); Glen DeFrance and his wife Stephanie (Middletown, CT); Jennifer Sequenzia (Middletown, CT); Tim Manson and his wife Shara Castillo (Austin, Texas); and his twin sister Jacqueline DeFrance Vozzola ( Florida). Augie was the proud grandparent of 12 grandchildren: August VI, Zachary, Brooke, Ava, Charlotte, and Olivia DeFrance; Alexandra, Jayson, Carleigh, and Samantha DeFrance; Miles Jones and Zoe Marie Manson; and three great grandchildren: August VII, Axel and Archer DeFrance.

Augie will also be missed by his Jones family: Cathie Giuffrida; Nancy Jones and her husband Ed; Larry Jones and his wife Gina; nieces, nephews, cousins and many many friends. In addition to his parents, Augie was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia Williams DeFrance, and infant son James.

Above all, Augie was devoted to his family and their well-being. He was the kindest man and never deviated from doing things the right way. He believed no one should go hungry or be denied any human right. His involvement in the local and state cemetery associations propelled him to document the location of over 75,000 people that were buried in the Middletown cemeteries, dating as far back as the 1600s. If you were looking for your great, great grandmother, Augie would find her.

His vast knowledge and enormous love for all of us will be missed every day.

A profound thank you to Dr. S. Jonathan Siegel for knowing and caring for Augie in the most compassionate way, and blessings to the incredible team of professional, beautiful angels of the Middlesex Hospital Hospice team. They wrapped us in their love and cared for us daily.

Calling hours will be from 5:00 to  7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7th at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 8th at 11:00 a.m.at St. Sebastian Church, 155 Washington St., Middletown, Connecticut. Friends are asked to go directly to church Saturday morning. Burial will be private.  Donations in Augie's memory may be made to Godfrey Memorial Library 134 Newfield St., Middletown, CT 06457; St. Sebastian Church Renovation Fund, 155 Washington St., Middletown, CT 06457; Middlesex Hospital Hospice Team, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com