Obituary of Vincent DiFilippo

Vincent DiFilippo, 100, of Saint Petersburg, FL passed away peacefully March 2, 2023, with family at his side. His loved ones feel grateful to have shared life with him for so long.

Vincent was born March 30, 1922, in Castelnuovo di Conza, Italy and enjoyed his first 14 years playing soccer and exploring in that small mountain town. He was adored by doting grandparents and a loving mother while his father was in the United States saving money to bring Vincent, his mother and his sister Angela to the states. In 1936, as political unrest was growing in Italy, his father Frank bought them passage on a ship and they began their American life in Jersey City, NJ. There Vincent was a diligent student and athlete. He learned baseball and enjoyed playing catcher in high school and beyond. Vince began a lifelong love of tennis that he did not relinquish until age 93. He had a fierce slice, or backspin, and well-placed volleys. Vince was not introduced to golf until his thirties but found great joy in the challenge of the game and was known as a quiet and patient player who excelled in the sport well into his nineties. He was an avid bridge player.

From 1943-1946, Vincent served in the US Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater on various ships including a support ship that assembled landing harbors after a battle, and on Higgins boats, which would bring supplies to shores during or after land battles. He threw ammunition onto shore from a Higgins boat during the Battle of Okinawa. He began his service in Hawaii, Australia and New Guinea before being selected to study at the University of Notre Dame as part of the V-12 Naval officer training program there. Eight weeks later, he was called back to the Pacific front and finished the war in the Philippines, Okinawa, China, and Guam.

He attended college while working as a draftsman and graduated from Seton Hall University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He continued his career in the engineering manufacturing field working just shy of 40 years with the same company until his retirement.

Family was his greatest joy. He met his future wife Virginia at a college French club event and they married in October of 1954. In 1957 they moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida and were blessed with two children, Vincent in 1958 and Felicia in 1965. His children have many fond memories of amusing times spent together. Vince enjoyed jovial tennis and golf games with his son in law John. His three grandchildren, Tighe, Hannah and Gabrielle, provided endless opportunities for happiness, and Vince was a loyal attendee of all of their sports games, ballet performances, and educational events, as well as a stalwart presence in their daily home life. He was their beloved “Um-pa”.

Vincent was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of St. Raphael’s parish.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank DiFilippo and Maria Felicia DiFilippo née Custode.

Vince is survived by his wife Virginia Elizabeth DiFilippo née Tighe; son Vincent William (Irene); daughter Felicia Ann Beach (John); grandchildren Tighe Robertson Beach (Rebecca), Hannah Felicia Beach, and Gabrielle Jeanne Beach; sister Angela Maria Bruccoleri; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Whatever Vince did in life, he did his best, with great care, intricate planning, and unfaltering dedication.

Vince will be profoundly missed, and forever loved.