born on November 22, 1936, in a small house in Porticello, Sicily, to Salvatore, a fisherman, and Antonina, a seamstress. He was the youngest of 4 siblings; brother to, Francesco, Maria, and Nina. He lost his mother to tuberculosis at the age of 3. His father and maternal grandmother would raise him, along with his older siblings. During the war, Vincenzo quit his studies to work in order to help provide for the family. He became a fisherman and worked with his father.
At age 18 he performed the required 2-year military service for his country, joining the Italian Navy. He remembered these years fondly, and enjoyed his time in the service. At the age of 20, he lost his father Salvatore, and a year later, his brother Francesco. After these losses, he would begin working as a seaman for the next decade, traveling the world on oil tankers and cargo ships. It was on one of these ships that he would befriend a captain that would send him to the United States.
In the late 60s, Vincenzo landed in California, and would shuttle between San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where he had relatives. He worked multiple jobs in order to save for a house, which he purchased in San Jose. In 1969, he decided to marry, and was introduced to 24 year old Maria Crivello. Over a short correspondence and courtship, they married in July 1970 in Porticello, Sicily, then moved to San Diego, California, where Maria also had relatives. Three children would join the young couple: Antoinette, in 1971, Salvatore, in 1973, Bernadette in 1978.
Vincenzo worked hard to provide for his family, maintaining a steady job at the shipyard for 17 years and doing extra side work in carpentry and as a licensed contractor. In his 50s, he went to work as a maintenance person for the San Diego Unified School district, a job he adored, until he retired. Throughout his life he was a devout Catholic, active in his church and always helped people in need. He loved movies, Italian music, and books related to Sicilian history. He was an avid gardener, and was always planting and growing fruits and vegetables when he wasn’t working. After retiring until his last year, his garden and workshop were sanctuaries for him.
Survived by spouse, Maria; three children, Antoinette (Alessandro), Salvatore and Bernadette; and four grandchildren, Maria, Connor, Diego, and Sara.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to American Cancer Society in his name (https://www.cancer.org/).
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