Obituary of Vincent Mento

Vincent Mento, son of Benedetto & Domenica (Giordano) Mento passed away peacefully on July 24, lying nose to nose with his daughter and with his caretaker by his side. Vince passed after a fulfilled day of attention from his children and grandchildren. A World War II veteran, serving as staff sergeant in the 38th Air Depot Group of the Army Air Corps; he served in the North Africa, Sicily & Italy, and the Southern France campaigns. He entered the army in May 1942 and was deployed overseas in January 1943 where he served until the war was over, returning to his beloved country in November 1945. He saw duty in Casa Blanca, Oran, Algiers, Malta, Naples, Sorrento, Foggia, Venafro, Marseilles, Tolaa, Pisa, Leghorn, and Goia. When the war ended and it was time to come home, Dad told the story of how he was delayed from returning for three months, living in a tent in Italy, because the stevedores went on strike and would not unload the ship. He told us the only two times he got a hug from his parents was when he left for war and when he came home from war. Dad did not talk about his WWII tour until late in life with one exception. He spoke often how his love, Mom, waited three years for him and how she wrote him every day. Of course Mom dreaded this day coming when neither she nor he would be around, so she destroyed every one of those letters. Dad married Mom, Mary Rose Amadeo, on January 26, 1946. They bought a home in Hammonton and lived their life happily in that same home for almost 59 years. Vince was predeceased by his wife, who passed in 2004. Now joined again with her, he is telling the angels how she has waited over five years for him. Vince was a sewing machine operator, a Foreman and a Manager for Hammonton Park Clothes, also known as Kessler Manufacturing in Hammonton and Atlantic City. We always marveled at how nice his co-workers and employees were to him and at the gifts and edible goodies they bestowed on him at Christmas time. He worked there for over thirty years, retiring at the young age of sixty-two. He once got his daughter a summer job there and she lasted two weeks. He was from the "Greatest Generation", characterized as "the greatest generation any society has ever produced". Toward the end of his career there, Dad could not wait to retire; regularly counting down the years and months. Following retirement, he worked part time for Carnesale Funeral Home. Dad enjoyed his Mondays and patriotic holidays at the VFW Post 1026 in Hammonton. He enjoyed the camaraderie, the patriotism, the dinners, and the story swapping. Being the son of a farmer, he enjoyed farming his small plot of land every spring and summer, planting impatients for his wife, and swapping more stories with the neighbors. As one special neighbor tells it "we did not need any other fertilizer." Most of all Dad enjoyed his family, his home, and his quiet and non-complicated life. He liked staying home; always in a rush when out so he can get back home. He was also the driver of the family, and the father that drove his kids with their friends to movies and dances, to roller skate and the mall, and to other friends' homes. After retirement, Dad got to spend more time with his grandchildren which brought him much joy. He was always there for them and they were always there for him. He so enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Dad loved to share his knowledge of farming with them and sharing stories of growing up on the farm. He also enjoyed giving them orders. Dad was never sick and told everyone who would listen that the secret to his health and longevity was a shot of whiskey before his feet hit the ground. Every day at the crack of dawn for at least fifty years he had a shot of whiskey. During his first and only hospital stay at the age of ninety-one, the doctors even became convinced and ordered him a shot of whiskey while at the hospital and subsequent rehab facility. He was a man who did not leave the house for work in the morning without first giving his wife a kiss goodbye. He was a man who picked the first rose of summer every year and gave it to his wife, and later to his daughter. He had a little step to his walk and usually whistled as he walked from the front of the house to the back of the house. Vince came from a family of eight. He had four brothers and three sisters. He was the last surviving brother. His brothers Anthony (Nein), John, Joe, and Sam all passed before him. He is survived by two sisters, Josephine Domenico who always told him "you are still so handsome" and his sister Lillian Tassone. His sister Marie Costa passed years before him. Vince is survived by his son Vincent B, and his daughter Maria and her husband Bill Tate. Bill was like another son to him, taking care of his wants and needs. Vince is also survived by the apples of his eye, his three grandchildren and their wives: Jason (Donna Lee), Jim (Cathy Chappine) and Jonathan; and his great-grandchildren Heather, Brittany and Jackson Lee. He loved his grandkids and great-grandkids and enjoyed their many visits and companionship. Vince is predeceased by his wife Mary, his second born child Domenica, his daughter- in-law Lynda, many friends from his generation, and his second daughter-in-law Nancy. Dad cherished his family, his home, his country and flag, and his religion, praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary daily. For these reasons he fought so hard to stick around. He was given three months and he gave us fourteen. A bit of the world according to Vince will carry on with us. We will always be your son, your grandson, your great-grandchildren, and daddy's little girl. We will remember what you taught us and will love, cherish and think of you every day. Today, your flag flies half mast. A viewing for Vince Mento will take place Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm at Carnesale Funeral Home, 202 S. Third St., Hammonton, and again on Friday morning at 9:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30am at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parrish in St. Joseph's RC Church, N. Third St., Hammonton. Burial will follow in Greenmount Cemetery. Donations can be made to VFW Post 1026, 390 S. Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. "Ring once when you get home."