Vincent Scarano
VINCENT T. SCARANO, Colonel, USAF, Retired, was called home to our Heavenly Father on December 4, 2022. “Vince” rejoins Jo, his beloved wife of 68 years. The youngest of nine children of Raffaela (DiGuglielmo) and Michele Scarano, he was born in 1922. His parents were immigrants of Andretta Avellino, Italy, among the pioneer Italian settlers of Bayonne, who instilled in him a love of God, family, and their newly adopted country. Jo lovingly nourished these endearing and enduring qualities. His high school years gave evidence of his potential for service, leadership and versatility. He was senior and junior class president, captain of the varsity basketball team, head of the usher force, student council and glee club member, and enjoyed performing in the annual school show. The culmination of these extracurricular activities led to singling him out, awarding the Excellence in School Citizenship plaque at the final commencement exercise. Upon graduation, life in the industrial world was short-lived because of “The Day of Infamy”, Pearl Harbor disaster. Like many of his former classmates and neighborhood buddies so moved by the treacherous act, he voluntarily enlisted in the military service, choosing the (then) U.S. Army Air Forces. His active duty military career spanned thirty-one years during which time he rose through the enlisted ranks to the grade of colonel. Among many awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal. He was particularly reminiscent of the World War II Victory Medal and prized identity as a product of “America’s Greatest Generation”. Membership was held in military organizations: Air Force Association (AFA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), The Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), and The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA). He is a charter member of the March Field Air Museum. Following his military career he was employed as public relations director at Notre Dame High School and sales representative of Duro-Test Corporation. Civic activities included Mended Hearts Cardiology Visitor, Area Board 12/Developmental Disabilities, Friends Outside, Project Understanding and Neighborhood Watch. Church activities included Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at parish and diocesan levels, Re-Membering Church, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Adult Confirmation facilitator, and Parish Council Member. Service was his byword. He was preceded in death by wife Jo, daughter Kristine, parents, four sisters and four brothers, and great-grandson Nathan Jr. He is survived by son Stephen J. (Amelie), Robert L. (Trish), Kathryn M., Michael (Monica), Teresa T., nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, brother-in-law Louis Steffano (Dorothy), four nephews and four nieces.
