Vincent Charles Maltese of Bayside, the loving husband of the late Jean Maltese and devoted father of the lamented Dennis, has passed at 86. He is survived by his children Allen, Patricia, Paula Anne, Vincent and Guy, and he was the adoring grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Under what may seem as non-conformity on the surface was a brisk, spirited nature. He gained admission to Stuyvesant High School, but shortly after transferred to Straubenmuller High School. Unsatisfied with both of his previous schools, he finished his high school years at Seward Park High School.
With a dynamic character, he pursued his aspirations with intrepid determination. A self-taught automobile mechanic, he was a partner in a Chelsea repair shop. Then in six months, he was a salesman for Wearever, but then began working at Cutco for the following two years. Afterwards, he became an interstate and intrastate truck driver. He then sold magazines and paperbacks for two years until he came back to direct sales.
At Prudential Insurance, Mr. Maltese worked 14 years. He also was a partner in the Ejie Division at J.B.I. Investigations. After years of searching for his vocation, he found his calling in law enforcement, inspiring the 38-year-old Maltese to take a test for Court Officer. He passed with exceptionally high marks, and was consequently instantly offered a job. He refused it, however, with the same inherently restless disposition until 6 months later he yielded and took the offer. He quickly escalated the ranks, later becoming Sergeant with four medals under his name while simultaneously acquiring his GED and continuing his studies at Adelphi, Hofstra and St. John’s University with extension courses at Bryn Mawr.
Mr. Maltese later became president of the Queens chapter of Parents & Taxpayers as well as Assembly District Leader of the Conservative Party which he co-founded in 1962. Under the Cav. Peter Cardella Senior Center, he was a member of the Ridgewood Community Board of Directors. With an altruistic and benevolent agenda, he served as vice president and was a faithful member of the Italian Charities of America for 30 years and on the board of the Italo-American Federal Credit Union. He was also a part of the First Avenue Boys, the Scafidi Belmonte Mezzagno Benevolent Society and Bella Italia Mia.
Vincent’s grandmother, Caterina, 38, and his adolescent aunts Lucia and Rosarea, 18 and 14 respectively, perished in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire on March 25, 1911 along with 143 others. In solemn commemoration, he became a founder and leader for the Triangle Fire Memorial Association, having served since the 1950s, and was the chairman of the board of directors. He was also the leading head of the Family Survivors Group.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Italian Charities of America in Elmhurst, N.Y.; INTL Society 575 Cosma and Damiano, Howard Beach, N.Y.; or St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, N.Y. Services will be limited to family only.
