Vincent “Vinnie Pop” Policano, 91, of North Arlington, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025.
Vincent was born in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph and Madeline (née Fico) Policano, where he was raised, and graduated from Boys High School. After marrying his wife Theresa (née Forte) in 1957, Vinnie began his career at the American Can Company in Jersey City, and shortly later began working for the New York City Department of Sanitation, where he worked until he retired. In the 1960s, the newlyweds relocated to Kearny to raise their family where they lived for decades.
As a lifelong athlete and lover of sports, Vinnie was close to playing in the minor leagues. He was a loyal Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Mets, and New York Rangers fan. Over the course of his life, Vinnie began with coaching little league teams in Kearny, and following his retirement, he umpired countless baseball and softball games, as well as being a referee for high school football games. He was a mentor and role model to generations of Kearny athletes, and was a true pillar of the community.
After a career at the NYC Department of Sanitation, Vinnie spent his retirement enjoying his life to the fullest. Vinnie enjoyed painting, gardening tomatoes in the summer, fishing for porgies down the Jersey shore, visiting his condo in Clearwater Beach with his wife Theresa, and spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren. After retiring at 52, Vinnie ran the New York City Marathon four times. Vinnie was always looking for ways to remain active.
As a true sanitation man, there was no mess “too big” for Vinnie to clean up. He is most remembered for his loyalty, dedication, and the incredible ways he supported his family throughout the years, in every sense of the word. His legacy is defined by the lasting impact he had on everyone fortunate enough to know him. You will be missed, Pop.
Vincent is survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Theresa; his four sons, Joseph, Vincent, Thomas, and John; his daughter-in-laws Nancy (née McNamara) and Yvette (née Viteri); his grandchildren Anthony, Carly, Nicholas, and John; his great-granddaughter, Gabriela; and his siblings Albert Policano and Rose Filippone.
Family will meet at Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home at 10am on Friday, September 5, 2025 to begin the procession.
The funeral will begin at 11am at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church in Kearny, NJ, where Vincent was a devout parishioner. A private cremation and burial will follow in the coming days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or the Dementia Society of America.
