Vincent Lancellotti passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Sunday, March 21, 2021, with his son Jim and granddaughter, Jennifer by his side. He was 95.
Vincent was born in Jersey City, N.J., to Angelina and John Lancellotti. In 1943 he was drafted into the U.S. Navy, serving in the Panama Canal, California, Japan and Pearl Harbor during World War II. He was given an honorable discharge in June 1946.
In June 1951 he married the love of his life, Lee Caruso, in St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark, N.J. They moved to Wayne, N.J., where they raised their family. They were also residents of Warwick, N.Y., and Vernon, N.J.
While living in Wayne, Vincent was a member of Our Lady of Consolation Church and was a member of their first board of directors. He also organized the first Perrin Park Neighborhood Committee to bring the neighbors and many friends together. Additionally, he was the chairman of the committee that started the first Big Brothers of Passaic County and was appointed treasurer of Big Brother due to his aptitude for handling funds with honesty and discerning wisdom. Vincent’s lifetime career in the school and office furniture business began when he joined the Colonial Office Furniture Company. Upon developing his skills, he went on to start his own company, Lee Distributors, in 1976, which was incorporated in 1984. Lee Distributors Inc. is still going strong today.
Vincent was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family, especially at the many family parties held throughout the years. Vincent taught all of his children to love, respect, and visit family as often as possible. He also taught them to show kindness, generosity, and friendship to everyone. Vincent and his wife, Lee, loved to travel, visiting many parts of this country and other countries around the world. Vincent was a devout Catholic and was a faithful member of St. Francis de Sales Church in Vernon.
Vincent is survived by his children, Mary Krauze and husband, Douglas, Vincent Lancellotti and wife, Gina, Joseph Lancellotti and wife, Teena, and James Lancellotti and wife, Colleen. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Douglas and wife, Danielle, Lauren, Matthew and wife, Elisabeth, John and wife, Melisse, David, Danielle and husband, David, Cara and partner, Joe, Nicole and husband, Sean, Jennifer and partner, Marc, Melissa and partner, Aman, and Geena; as well as his great-grandchildren, Dornan, Deryn, and Aubrey. He is also survived by his sister, Marie Meola, and husband, Alan; sisters-in-law, Frances Lancellotti, Rosaria Abrescia, and Rosemarie Caruso.
Vincent was recently predeceased by his beloved wife of 69 years, Lee Lancellotti. He is also predeceased by his sister Terry De George and husband, Felix; brother Frank Lancellotti; brothers-in-law Nicholas Abrescia and Anthony Caruso; and sister-in-law Sue Iafelice and husband Vincent.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church on March 27. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). Arrangements are under the direction of the Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, Vernon, N.J.