He was born in Westfield, N.Y., on April 15, 1932 to the late Moses and Frances Verga Ronzitti.

Vincent served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955. He attained the rank of Airman First Class, S/Sgt. Vincent was a B-29 Gunner and flew 18 combat missions during the Korean War. He was also a KC-97 Aerial Tanker Boom Operator and a Squadron Flight Time Supervisor while in the Air Force.

Vince graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960, a Master of Science in 1967, and School Administration Supervision certificate in 1979, also from SUNY Fredonia.

In 1960, Vince started his 27-year career in education. He taught 5th and 6th grade for 5 years at Cassadaga Valley Elementary School, continuing the remainder of his career with BOCES in special education.

He was a Founder and Director of Camp Exploratory and former Co-Publisher of the Fredonia-Dunkirk Penny Saver. Always active in the community, Vince was the first Lay Chairman of the Chautauqua County Mental Health Board and a member of the Chautauqua County Planning Board. He served on the Board of Directors for NYS Off-Track Betting, and served as Chairman of Fredonia Catholic Charities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, CIAO, Fredonia Jaycees, Fredonia Legion, Fredonia VFW, the Moose Club and an active member of the Chautauqua County Democratic Party.

Vince was an avid golfer and member of Tri-County and Hillview Golf Courses. He was owner-operator of Golf Whirl Custom Golf Club Design and Repair.

After retirement, Vince and Annette spent their winters at Ramon Park in Palm Springs, California.

Vince had a heart of gold. His greatest joy was his loving wife and the time they spent with their kids and grandchildren.

He is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Annette Conti DeCosta; five children: Louann (Larry) Smith of Ohio, Linda (David) Hauser of Silver Creek, Vincent II (Josefina) DeCosta of California, Louise (Ewald) Bacher, of Fredonia, and Antonett (Joe) Charletta of California. Vincent is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by: his sister Rosemarie Seelinger (Neal), brothers Nicholas and Basil Ronzitti, all of Erie, PA, brothers Sam (Patricia) Conti, Ross (Elaine) Conti and Marian Conti, all of Fredonia, and several nephews and nieces.

Vincent was predeceased by his brother Santo Verga and sisterinlaw Jean Ronzitti.

Memorial contributions in Mr. DeCosta’s memory may be made to the Darwin R. Barker Library, 7 Day St., Fredonia, NY 14063; or the Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org).

Calls may be made Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church, 1032 Central Ave., Dunkirk, Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (Please assemble at Church.) Interment, with full Military Honors, will be in St. James Cemetery, Westfield, N.Y. Online condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by David J. Dengler.