Vincent "Vince" M. Colecchi

Vincent (“Vince”) Mario Colecchi

Born: September 8, 1923 Roccaraso, Italy to Joseph and Gilda (DiCola) Colecchi  Died: Kentridge Senior Living, Kent, Ohio March 21, 2020 Vincent Mario Colecchi of Ravenna, died March 21, 2020 at Kentridge Assisted Living on the 71st anniversary of the marriage to his beloved late wife Maria whom he married in Italy in 1949. Mr. Colecchi immigrated with his wife and young son to the United States from Italy in 1952. He loved his homeland of Italy but was proud to be a naturalized American citizen along with his wife and son. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish of Ravenna and devoted to St. Anthony. He enjoyed spending time with his children and nine grandchildren by playing cards, word search puzzles, board games, and visiting. His sense of humor was shared through the many jokes and stories he liked to tell his grand and great-grandchildren; a generation new to hearing the stories of his life in Italy, as a young soldier in the Italian armed services and the many events he has seen in the world during his 96 years. He always said “I was born to make people laugh” and he always left a smile on ours and the faces of many during good times and bad. Until recently, Mr. Colecchi enjoyed vegetable gardening, canning, creating wooden crafts, and spending time with family and friends. His children and grandchildren continued to keep their father and ‘papa’ entertained after his recent move to Kentridge. During the COVID-19 restrictions of ‘no visitors’ were put into place, the family video chatted with him and sent personal, funny notes for the staff to read to him to keep him company until they were able to see him in person again. He was a very active member of the Italian American Society in Ravenna and Co-founder of St. Ippolito Festa Celebration of Friends and Family from Roccaraso Italy.  This event was organized by Mr. Colecchi and celebrated annually for 50 years prior to his ‘retirement’ from the planning committee. He is the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren (two sets of twins), 5 great-grandchildren with one on the way! Mr. Colecchi had many things to be proud of over the course of his 96 years. Mr. Colecchi worked at Romito-Donelly Corporation (Ravenna) as a general laborer for 33 years before retiring in the mid-1980s. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maria, brother, Paul Colecchi of Ravenna, sister, Nancy (Mario) Mascio of Ravenna, and brother Benny Colecchi of Kent who passed on March 2, 2020. He is survived by his children: Joseph (Vicki) Colecchi of Westerville Gilda (Thomas) Grande of Stow Vanda (Van) Victoria of Ravenna Gina (Ben) Azarnoush of California Dana (Bryan) Whittlesey of Atwater Grandchildren: Maria (Scott) Bryant of Columbus Christina (Mark) Grossman of Dublin. Vincent (Jessie) Colecchi of Columbus John (Talia) Victoria of Kent Veronica Victoria of Kent Steve Grande of Cuyahoga Falls Lisa (Austin) Maruna of Cuyahoga Falls Maxim Azarnoush of California Michelle Whittlesey of Atwater Great Grandchildren: Gabrielle, Matthew, John, Nora, Lucy, and baby Maruna due in September. Mr. Colecchi is also survived by his sisters-in-law Josephine Colecchi of Ravenna and Josephine Colecchi of Kent. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Kentridge Senior Living for the loving and nurturing care they gave our father and grandfather. The family would also like to thank the staff of Encompass and Bayada Visiting Nurse Services, and the staff of University Hospitals Portage Medical Center for their care of him during his past two recent hospital stays. Vince’s children would like to also thank his neighbors who watched over him especially during the winter months and making sure his drive and sidewalk were cleared from any of Ohio’s crazy snowfalls so he could get to his mail and paper boxes and drive to his favorite stores. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place, a private family Mass and service is being held. The family will announce a celebration of life at a later date once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. At this time, the family requests no gifts, flowers, or donations. Thank you dad/papa for leaving us your legacy. We will continue to live as you and mom/nana taught us and we will never forget either of you. We love you: Ti amiamo molto! May he rest in peace: Che riposi in pace.

 Condolences and memories of Vincent may be shared with his family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com

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