John Francis DeVincenzo, 89, of Brandywine Assisted Living, Howell, N.J. passed away Friday June 3, 2016 at Centra State Hospital in Freehold, N.J. Relatives and friends are invited to The Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny on Wednesday June 15, 2016 at 11:30 a.m., we will form a procession and travel around Gunnel Oval before entering Holy Cross Cemetery for graveside prayers.
Born in Newark, N.J. to John and Concetta (nee Castaldi) DeVincenzo, he grew up in Newark with his parents, an older brother Anthony (deceased) and his younger brother Marty. After graduating from Barringer High School in 1945 john joined the US Navy where he served for two years in the US Coast Guard. John was married to his childhood sweetheart Rose Marie Squibb in 1948. They were married for 39 years before his beloved Rose Marie passed away in 1987. They raised two sons, John and Gary, while living in Kearny.
John started working for The coca cola Bottling Company in Newark before working for Ronson Lighter Company in Eatontown. He attended Seton Hall University for two years at night while supporting his family. He then entered the waste paper business where he worked for over 40 years. He was first hired as a salesman for The Whippany Paper Board Company and later rose to Vice President of the I. Herschmann Paper Company in New Haven, Conn. He finished his career as a broker for the Diamond Paper Company in Roselle and Recycled Fibers in Newark.
John was a devoted member of the Kearny Little League for over 51 years. He started in 1958 as a coach for his sons' minor league team. He went on to coach Kearny Federal savings to many championships before serving as the secretary, treasurer, vice president and president of the League. He also served as vice president of the Pony League for 9 years and the president of the Colt League for 4 years. John also volunteered as a member of The Kearny Recreation Commision for over 25 years. In 2009 he retired from Little League and The Eastern Division field at the Gunnel Oval is named in his honor. He was inducted in 2010 into the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame.
John is survived by his sons John and Gary and their wives Judy (nee Lerner) and Linda (nee Lennox), five grandchildren Jared, Dara, Marci, Rachel and Ashley and two great grandchildren Giada and Jacob.