Obituary

Vincent Occhiogrosso
January 29, 1942 – July 27, 2016

Often times he would answer the phone “Murphy’s Mortuary”, or “Jake’s Pool Hall”. While napping he was simply “just checking his eyelids for holes” He was known for his sense of humor.

Vince was a kind, sweet, loving, and quirky guy who read the newspaper daily checking for his obituary to make sure he wasn’t listed that day. Heaven forbid if you borrowed a tool and didn’t return it, he would never let you forget it! His last few years were very difficult as he had lost the love of his life in 2014, Cis. Despite chronic health issues, he always had a twinkle in his eye, a quick smile and he never met a stranger.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1942 to Nunzio and Gloria Occhiogrosso. After his father’s death in 1946, the family moved to Westlake, Louisiana where he grew up. Vince attended Westlake High School and joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. While stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington in 1959 he met and married Darleen Benner. He enjoyed 6 years as an aircraft carrier nuclear weapons specialist and traveled to Japan and Cuba during the missile crisis among many other domestic and international destinations. Vince and Darleen welcomed daughter Melody in 1960, son Chuck 1961 and daughter Diana in 1969. The family resided in Ferndale, Washington where he worked for Intalco.

In 1976 he returned to his hometown of Westlake, Louisiana and married Corina Trim in July 1977 they welcomed a son, Guy in 1981. He spent the next thirty-five years in Southwest Louisiana working as a Millwright. He went on to be an industrial hydraulics instructor at Sowela Tech and taught shop at his alma mater Westlake High School. He enjoyed many hobbies including playing guitar and drums, singing and building wood toys in his shop. In 2013 Vince and Cis moved back to Washington to be near their children. He attended Westlake United Methodist Church and United Church of Ferndale.

Vince was preceded in death by his parents, Nunzio Occhiogrosso and Gloria Forst Fast, his stepfather Leon Fast, his wife, Cis Trim Occhiogrosso, and his sister, Cheri Gravatt. He is survived by one sister, Ann Lavergne (Russell), four brothers, Lloyd Gravatt (Bev), Leon Fast (Debbie), Billy Fast (Tami), and Bobby Fast (Johanna). He is survived by four children, Melody Occhiogrosso, Chuck Occhiogrosso (Jeanne), Diana McDonald (Scott), and Guy Occhiogrosso. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. In addition, he is survived by lifelong friend Jimmy George, who he kept in frequent contact with and who matched his ability to talk endlessly, and special friend Beth Marsau who was an integral part of his last couple years. Memorial service at United Church of Ferndale in Ferndale, Washington on Sunday, August 21st at 3:00 pm. His final resting place will be at Stillwaters Cremation Cemetery.

The family would like to extend many thanks to the staff at the Mt. Baker kidney center in Bellingham, and DaVita in Sulphur, LA both of which he talked endlessly about his love and appreciation.

PSST Dad, did you read the paper today? We are sad to say you are in it.

“Hard to be humble when you’re great!”

In lieu of flowers, the family of Vince requests donations be made to Whatcom Hospice House or the United Church of Ferndale.

Whatcom Hospice house: http://whatcomhospice.org/give.html#waystogive

United Church of Ferndale.