V.J.S. Vincent James Santillo Sr.

SANTILLO ,Sr., Vincent J., 95, of Dover, passed away December 15, 2012, after a courageous battle with, and complications following, Parkinson’s Disease. He was an inspiration to many, and truly one of the “greatest generation. ” He was a quiet man who spoke much with few words.

He was born 1917 in New York City, and was orphaned at the age of 16. He lived with friends and relatives, dropped out of school, and held a variety of jobs to support himself; farm-worker, hat maker, truck driver, wine-maker, and salesman.

Vincent loved his country, and served it well as an Army Air Corp crew chief during World War II, in the Pacific Islands. His job was to ready the landing strips, and to service the planes, and in 1945, while on Tinian Island, he watched as a top-secret flight returned: the Enola Gay. After wartime correspondence, he finally met the love of his life, Florence Riccobono. They were married for over 66 years and raised four children in Totowa, New Jersey in the house which he built himself.

He was a tile contractor by trade, and his most famous accomplishment was doing some of the tile work inside the Lincoln Tunnel, as well as other NYC landmarks, such as Trump Towers. He later worked at AT&T headquarters in New Jersey, retiring in 1993.

He was always one to unselfishly share his time. He was the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #74 in Little Falls, N.J. He served as an usher at Holy Angels (R.C.) Church, and was Grand Knight and District Deputy in the Knights of Columbus. He also was on the Tile Union’s Executive Council.

He was predeceased by his mother, Mary Arricale, 3 step-brothers; and many close relatives who were like siblings to him.

Vincent is survived by his loving wife, Florence; and their four children: Vincent (Angie) Santillo, Jr. of Dover, Fla., Diane (Walter W. Jr.) Jones of Canandaigua, NY; Mark Santillo of Panama City, Fla.; and Joy Santillo, of Costa Mesa, CA; six grandchildren: Dominic (Beth) Santillo, Nicolas (Jill) Santillo, Veronica Santillo and their mother, Andi ; Halo Bontly, Vincent James Santillo III, Cameron Jones , two great grandchildren; Dominic, Jr. and Kaitlyn, and a large extended family.

A visitation will be held 6 -8 pm Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Stowers Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated,11:30am Friday, December 21, 2012, at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511. Interment will be held at a later date in Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lifepath Hospice www.lifepath-hospice.org or to the National Parkinson Foundation www.parkinson.org.