Vincent Coccia, 83 years old of Somerton, Philadelphia passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
Vince was the beloved husband of Audrey (nee Booth) Coccia; devoted father of Denise McNicholas (late Edward), and Gina Coccia; loving grandfather of Edward, Sean (Katie) and Patrick McNicholas; proud great-grandfather of Hazel Grace; and brother of Gilda Lucarini (Gene) and the late Catherine Mickus (Harold). He was also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Vince was born on February 7, 1938, and grew up in St. Mary the Eternal Parish where he lived with his mom and dad, Augustine and Antoinette Coccia and his sisters Gilda and Catherine. Vince lived in a culturally rich neighborhood full of tradition next to an Italian Bakery named Mellie’s. Vince has always loved his family enjoying family dinners and special occasions where good food and wine were shared. He was lucky to have a big family of aunts, uncles and cousins all living in the same neighborhood.
Vince met his sweetheart, Dee when they were 15 and 17 going together for five years and have spent 61 years married. Vince joined the Armed Forces when he was 19 and served as a military policeman at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas with his new wife where they had their first daughter, Denise. Returning to Philadelphia several years later he joined the Philadelphia Fire Department, Ladder 1 where he served for 29 years. Several years after joining the Fire Department Vince and Dee welcomed their second daughter into their lives, Gina who brought to the family a new focus in life advocating for people with disabilities. Vince and Dee founded with other families an Organization, Philadelphia Police and Fire Association for Handicapped Children where together they created programs for those with disabilities and advocated on their behalf. In later years Vince became the proud grandfather of three grandsons and burst with pride on their many achievements in sports and academics. Needless to say the recent addition of his first great-grandchild, Hazel Grace was his total delight.
Vince, fearless as a firefighter, made several incredible rescues over the years and was awarded the City of Philadelphia Heroism Award for a valiant save of a woman in a third-floor apartment fully engaged in flames. Vince loved his job fighting fires and his fireman buddies and was sad retiring after 30 years. After leaving the Fire Department, Vince went to work for the Liquor Control Board for 10 years before being stricken with esophageal cancer. After a several year battle with cancer and treatments Vince recovered enough to join the staff of an Organization called Vision for Equality where he worked for a number of years, again serving the Disability Community.
Vince was a humble but tough guy who was dedicated to family, work and home life. He loved friends, parties, and vacations with his grandkids in Ocean City and his nieces and nephews in Fort Myers and helping with 4th of July celebrations in Lawncrest and putting up the American flags these last few years in Somerton.
Over the last 20 years of Vince’s life, he has again fearlessly fought off many medical issues always saying when you called, he was doing fine. His family were very proud of the incredible man he was and he will be truly missed by his wife, daughters, grandsons, great grand-daughter, family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 9:30 – 10:45, Wednesday, May 12th at St. Christopher Church, 13305 Proctor Rd. followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00. Interment will be held at William Penn Cemetery directly across from the Church.
Contributions in Vince’s memory may be made to: Vision for Equality, 718 Arch St. 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106 www.visionforequality.org
To record a brief video or voice only tribute, condolence or cherished memory to be shared privately with the family, please click this link: Send Hugs for Vincent F. Coccia