Vincent Puglia

On March 11, 2021, two weeks before his 99th birthday, Vincent Puglia of Staten Island, NY left us to go home to God. He was a dedicated family man who made a wonderful life for himself and for his family of whom he was very proud.

Vincent was born on March 26th, 1922 on Morton Street in the West Village of Manhattan. He was the first child of immigrant parents who decided to return to their home town of Sorrento, Italy when Vincent was about 3 years old. This is where he grew up with 8 younger brothers and sisters and where he developed his skills for the restaurant business. After completing his service in the Italian army at the end of World War II he decided it was time to return to the city of his birth...NYC.

It was at his uncle's house in Coney Island, Brooklyn where he met his sweetheart Anna. They were married on October 22, 1949 at Our Lady of Solace Church in Coney Island.  After honeymooning in Niagara Falls, Canada they settled down in the Gravesend area of Brooklyn where their daughters Maria and Josephine were born. After the birth of their granddaughter Lisa in 1986 they decided it was time to move to Staten Island where their daughters were living.

Vincent was a professional waiter and a certified sommelier working in upscale Manhattan restaurants. We liked to say that he was a "waiter to the stars" because while he worked at Danny's Hideaway on East 45th Street, Manhattan, he served many, many movies stars and celebrities, and as a result he had so many interesting stories which he loved to share with family and friends.

The most important things in Vincent's life were his wife, daughters and granddaughter followed by his extended family and friends. He had wonderful cooking skills and nothing delighted him more that serving his delicious food to his family and friends. Each dish he prepared and served was a true labor of love. Vincent also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and making his own red wine (which was amazingly delicious).

Vincent was a member of the Knights of Columbus and he achieved the level of 4th degree knight in the early 1960s.  He was very proud to be a 4th degree knight and was an active member of the organization.  He enjoyed spending time with his fellow knights and loved participating in all their events and functions.

Also, after retiring from the restaurant business, Vincent enjoyed spending some of his time volunteering at the St Vincent De Paul Society, Camp St. Edwards and the AARP

And yes, Vincent had a second passion.  He loved to travel with his beloved wife Anna and sometimes with friends.  Besides several trips that he took to Canada and Italy he also visited France, Spain, Alaska, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Bermuda, Paradise Island, California (especially wine country), New England and several other states.  He enjoyed cruising and his favorite land excursion was the helicopter ride that landed on Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska.

Vincent lived a wonderful life and was loved and admired by many.  He was with us for such a long time that we thought he'd be here forever.  We are grateful for the beautiful memories and the stories that we have to share with each other.  We know that he will live in our hearts forever.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY HAS ASKED FOR DONATIONS IN VINCENTS NAME TO ST. CHARLES CHURCH ON STATEN ISLAND TO AID IN CHURCH RENOVATIONS (PLEASE SEE THE CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW TO DONATE, AS DONATIONS CANNOT YET BE MADE ONLINE FOR THIS CAUSE).