Obituary of Vincenzo Torquato

Obituary – Vincenzo Torquato June 30, 1927 to May 10, 2020 Vincenzo Torquato was born on June 30, 1927 in Falerna, Italy to Salvatore and Chiara (Floro) Torquato. He rejoins his beloved wife, Palma, who departed 25 years ago. He is survived by 5 children: Salvatore married to Kim, Mario, Alberto, John married to Valeri, and Flora married to Joseph. His loving grandchildren include Deanna, Vinnie, Christina, Michelle, Lisa, Gia, Joseph, and Nicholas. There is also one great-grandchild Hannah and more on the way. Vincenzo is also survived by his brother, Mariano. Despite only having a middle school education, Vincenzo was an ambitious young man who sought his fortune outside his poor hometown mountain village. After serving in the Italian army as a young man, he ventured north into France. He labored for 5 years in the coal mines near Billy-Montigny. But he would return home to Falerna where he pursued his bride-to-be, Palma. Vincenzo and Palma began their married life in Falerna. Vincenzo recognized that to give his family a better life, he had to make a life-changing decision to uproot himself from Falerna and his loved ones for the land of opportunity. After their first son was born, they sailed to America in 1955 on the Cristoforo Colombo and initially settled in Flushing, Queens where the family grew by two more children, Mario, and Albie. To support his family, he toiled as a construction laborer. In the year 1960, the young family moved into their own new home in North Massapequa. Vincenzo would spend the rest of his life at this residence. In the early 1960’s, Vincenzo formed his own masonry business, Vincent P Torquato & Sons, which was a great success. Two more children came along, John and Flora. With the steadfast support of his wife, Palma, and his growing business, he enabled his children in pursuit of their own dreams-, attending college as well as establishing careers, families, and homes of their own. He loved God and he loved his family. Vincenzo gave sacrificially to his family. He even gave the bounty from his favorite place, the garden. He will be dearly missed by his family and his friends. And he will never be forgotten.