Vincent C. Roberto

Vincent Carmen Roberto, 96, of Secane, PA  passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025.

Vincent was the son of the late Giovanna and Salvatore Roberto and was born in Clifton Heights, PA. He attended Clifton Heights High School and entered the military early.  He served as a military repairman in Berlin and Helmstadt in Germany. He also saw other parts of Europe while he was there, and often talked of Switzerland. After the army, he returned to school and received his High School diploma at Brown Prep. He then worked for the Philadelphia Naval Base as an apprentice sheet metal mechanic. At that time, he took courses on the base, which allowed him to be hired by the Philadelphia Electric Company as a draftsman in 1951. While at the electric company, he went to college, starting at Drexel University and then transferring to Penn State. Vincent was also working as a gardener at this time. Vincent married Patricia Stiffler in 1950, and the family grew rather quickly. So Vincent worked at two jobs and went to school to support his growing family. Vincent would eventually earn a Mechanical Design Certificate and a second Electrical Technology Certificate from Penn State. Vincent continued to work for Philadelphia Electric in more than one supervisor position until he retired in 1991.

Vincent was a founding member of Saint Eugene’s Church and was active in church events, especially the carnival. He helped build Primos Secane Swim Club and was on the original board of directors, where his responsibility was hiring lifeguards. Vincent was a member of the Knights of Columbus and loved and cared for his family.  He was an avid gardener and grew the most delicious tomatoes. He was very generous with the bounty from the garden and family members, neighbors, and friends would find bags of tomatoes on their doorsteps. He had a wonderful marriage with Patricia. As they grew older, on Saturday night, they would go to Mass, come home, open a bottle of champagne, pop popcorn, and settle in to watch Lawrence Welk together. Vincent loved his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He generously supported them and was proud of them. Vincent played golf regularly with his friends. He was a great neighbor and was highly esteemed in the community.

Vincent was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Roberto, to whom he was married for almost 63 years, his sister Mary Phillips, his son Vincent Roberto, and his grandson Danny Waters. He is survived by his sister Dolores Govannicci, sister in-law Frances Boccella, daughter Trish (Kerry) Davis of Chester Springs, PA, daughter Susan (Kirk) Waters of Franklin, TN and son Michael Roberto of Swarthmore, PA. Five Grandchildren, Melissa (Chris) Renda, Jaime (Joel Reihman), Jenna (Matt) Currie, Becca (Jared) Wilbur, and Tommy (Erica) Waters. Seven great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Dominic, and Joseph Renda,  Brynlee and Ethan Currie, and Miller and Baker Waters.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing on Friday April 25, 2025 at 9:30 AM at St Eugene’s Church, 200 Oak Ave, Primos PA 19018 and to his Funeral Mass Friday. 10:30am in the Church. Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The American Cancer Society. 1626 Locust St., Phila, PA 19103, The Macular Degeneration Association at Macularhope.org, and Saint Eugene’s Church.

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