Obituary of Vincent Mastrocola

Vincent Mastrocola, 90, of Long Pond, Pa., died Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Whitestone Healthcare Center in Stroudsburg of complications following hip surgery in December. He would have celebrated his 91st birthday on February 16. He was the husband of Robin Mastrocola, to whom he was married for 58 years . He would have been 91 on February 16. ` The third of eight children born to Charles and Nichol Mastrocola in McKeesport, Pa., Vince excelled at sports, academics and showmanship. Quarterback of his high school team, he won several achievement awards, was valedictorian of his graduating class and the lead in plays. He also played college football. He received a Bachelor's degree at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, working his way on weekends as a vocalist for a dance band. He eventually also attended Duquesne University law school. An Army volunteer, Vince was inducted at Indiantown Gap in March 1943, first serving in the Field Artillery and later in the glider division of the Airborne Artillery. He was eventually assigned to Boston University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech) to become an interpreter as the Allies occupied Italy and Italian prisoners of war were being interred in the States. As the war neared end, he was assigned to the Entertainment Division, where, according to his Army Separation Qualification Record, he "planned, organized and directed entertainment programs using military personnel. He acted as master of ceremonies, and wrote script and material for programs and performances. He was a radio announcer and entertained by singing, comedy acts and skits. Vince was also an athletic director who set up physical training programs, arranged all types of sports contests and conducted exercises. He was honorably discharged from the military service on February 26, 1946 as a master sergeant. Following discharge he was asked to go to Washington, D.C. to organize and run a PX there, where he spent several months before entering law school at Duquesne University. After law school, in 1951 Vince joined a St. Louis-based insurance company in Pittsburgh as a claims adjuster. He showed early promise in this area and became a claims supervisor, settling claims involving construction bonds, fidelity bonds, marine bonds and the like involving millions of dollars. Eventually the St. Louis company was absorbed by Fireman's Fund of San Francisco which promoted him to director of the fidelity, surety and burglary division of its the NYC branch. Fireman's Fund was eventually taken over by American Express which named him assistant claim manager of the bond division. American Express is presently owned by Allianz, a Germany-based insurance giant. Vince retired in 1984 at 62, having been 40 years with the same company. He served eight more years as a consultant before retiring permanently. During the years that Vince traveled extensively, he purchased a gift shop in Berkeley Heights, NJ for Robin of which she was proprietor 13 years with Vince as her mentor. She is a life member of the League of Women Voters, having served as president of the Monroe County, PA chapter six years. They lived in Hopewell Township, NJ for twenty years before retiring to the Poconos in 1998. In addition to his wife, Robin, Vince is survived by three sisters, Clara and Katherine Mastrocola of Pittsburg and Betty Groff of Aurora, Ohio; cousin Clorinda Sekera of Pittsburg, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews. There will be a visitation on Saturday, February 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Bolock Funeral Home, Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road in Cresco, PA followed by a service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America may be made either by mail to 332 Eighth Ave, New York 10001, 7th floor, New York NY 10001 or by phone, 1-866-232-8484.