Vincent J. Gionfriddo, Sr. 86, of Neptune City, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.
Mr. Gionfriddo was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He grew up in Bradley Beach, and was a graduate of Asbury Park High School, where he was a standout baseball player. He is the only player known to have hit a ball out of the Asbury Park Stadium and into Deal Lake. He had an opportunity to try out for the Cleveland Indians, but instead, was drafted into the Army, and was stationed at the Panama Canal during the Korean War. He later joined the Neptune City Police Department, and rose through the ranks, until retiring as Captain in 1984. He then worked for the Coin Depot Armored Car Company of Avon for many years. He also served his community as a member of United Fire Co. #1 of Neptune City, earning the title of Exempt Firefighter. He was a member of the Manasquan Elks Lodge #2534, and an avid bowler with the South Monmouth County Firemen’s League, winning the “Peter N. Despina Bowler of the Year Award” for the 2000 – 2001 season.
Mr. Gionfriddo is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Angelina (Palmeri), and his children and their spouses, Vincent, Jr. and Jeanne Gionfriddo, and Theresa and Kevin Price, all of Neptune City. He was predeceased by a daughter, Angelina, in infancy. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Chrissie and Michelle Gionfriddo, and Toni and Michael Price, his brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Yolonda Gionfriddo, of Fla., his sister, Mary Cicchino, of Elizabeth, and 3 nephews and a niece. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Cosmo Cicchino.
Visitation will take place at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35, Wall, on Friday, September 22, 2017, from 4-8 PM, and on Saturday, September 23, 2017, from 10-11 AM, with a service to be held at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Neptune. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Gionfriddo’s memory may be made to Cancer Institute of NJ at Rutgers, 120 Albany St., Tower 1, Ste. 305, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (make checks payable to CINJ-RUF).