Vincenzo P. Lombardo

Greece: July 31, 2025. Vincenzo is survived by his wife, Saveria Lombardo; children, Rosa (Tony) Piccirillo, Marianna (Jim) Borrelli, & Joe (Heather Meares) Lombardo; grandchildren, Marco (Alicia) Piccirillo, Olivia (Alex) Hernandez, Matthew (Renatta) Iachetta, Steven (Ashley) Iachetta, Andrea Lombardo, & Joe Lombardo; 9 great-grandchildren; brother, Rocco (Sara) Lombardo; several nieces, nephews, cousins & dear friends.

Vincenzo’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Thursday, August 7th, 9:30 AM at Sacred Heart Cathedral (Flower City Park), Mass will be live-streamed and viewable with this link: https://www.youtube.com/@sacredheartcathedral1606/streams. Immediately following, Vincenzo will be laid to rest in Irondequoit Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Breast Cancer Coalition, 1048 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607 in Vincenzo’s memory.

Remembering Vincenzo~

Vincenzo Lombardo lived a life rooted in strength, simplicity, and deep devotion to family. Born in the hills of Calabria, Italy in 1932, he came into the world during a time of both beauty and difficulty. The son of Giuseppe Lombardo, a construction worker, and Rosa Mazzagatti, who worked in agriculture, Vincenzo was raised in a household that modeled love, sacrifice, and unwavering moral character. His parents were kind-hearted, hardworking people who always tried to do the right thing. They never wavered in their values, and their example helped shape the man Vincenzo would become.

As a child, Vincenzo endured the hardships of World War II—a time when food was scarce and survival was uncertain. But rather than letting those difficult years harden him, they instilled in him a lifelong sense of perseverance and gratitude. The challenges of his youth taught him that everything in life must be earned and appreciated, and that strength is not just in endurance, but in compassion and purpose.

After the war, Vincenzo served in the Italian military in Rome, where he developed discipline, focus, and a sense of duty. Following his service, he remained in Rome to work in construction—a field he would stay in for much of his life. He later moved to Milan, where he continued his work and began building a future with his beloved Saveria, whom he married in December 1959 in their hometown of Reggio, Calabria. Together they built a beautiful life and welcomed three children: Rosa, Marianna, and Giuseppe.

For Vincenzo, family was everything. He believed in the power of unity, love, and shared meals. His home was a place of warmth and welcome. “His table was always open to everyone,” not just in word but in action. Whether it was family, friends, or strangers in need, he always had room at his table and in his heart.

In 1969, Vincenzo made the incredibly difficult decision to leave his family behind in Italy and travel alone to New Jersey, USA. He spent three years working tirelessly to establish a foundation for his family’s future. He started a construction business, pouring every ounce of effort and dedication into building a new life. In 1973, once he felt it was the right time, he returned to Italy and brought Saveria and their children—Rosa, Marianna, and Giuseppe—to join him in America. The family remained in New Jersey for several years, leaning on the support of extended family and friends as they adapted to their new home.

Eventually, the family relocated to Rochester, New York, where Saveria’s family had settled. There, Vincenzo continued his hard-working spirit and secured employment at Eastman Kodak, where he remained until his retirement.

Throughout all the transitions and challenges, one thing never changed: Vincenzo’s gratitude. He never took his blessings for granted. The love of his family, the comfort of community, and the life he built from nothing were his greatest treasures.

Vincenzo’s passions spoke to the man he was. He loved hunting, not just for the sport, but for the solitude and connection to nature it provided. Gardening, too, brought him joy—an act that reflected patience, care, and the beauty that can come from tending to something over time. These hobbies were more than pastimes; they were reflections of his spirit.

He found immense happiness in being surrounded by loved ones. Whether hiking in the mountains of Calabria, strolling by the Mediterranean Sea, or enjoying simple conversations with close friends, Vincenzo treasured every moment of connection. He maintained lifelong friendships—bonds built through mischief, meals, loyalty, and laughter.

Though he didn’t play music or indulge much in entertainment, he enjoyed Western movies and hunting documentaries, drawn to stories of grit and character—much like his own life.

Vincenzo despised dishonesty. He valued truth and respect, and expected the same from others. And while he faced life’s trials, he never saw them as obstacles—only opportunities to rise. He met everything head-on, never backing down from doing what was right.

Those who knew Vincenzo describe him in five simple, powerful words:
Trustworthy. Determined. Honest. Loyal. Generous.
He had your back, no matter what. He would quite literally give you the shirt off his back. To him, family and friendship were sacred, and he lived that belief every single day.

Above all, his legacy is his family—the life he built with Saveria, the values he passed down to his children and grandchildren, and the example he set for what it means to live with dignity and heart.

Vincenzo Lombardo will be deeply missed by everyone who had the honor of knowing him. His spirit lives on in every story told around a dinner table, every act of quiet kindness, and every family gathering filled with warmth and laughter—just as he would have wanted.