BRANCA, VINCENT SR., 80 - of Egg Harbor Township, passed away at home on September 30, 2006, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. In July after learning of the death of his grandson "Ricci", his health went downhill quickly. Vincent was born and raised in Bargaintown were he worked for his father on the Branca Farm. He was a member of the Bargaintown Fire Company. He worked for Gannon and Fleming Surveying Company in Philadelphia. Pa. He worked for Eastern Transit Mix from 1957 until his retirement in 1991. While there he was a member of Teamster Local 331, and the Shop Stewart for local 331. He enjoyed going to the Country Squire Diner or Carmen's Corner in Cardiff every morning for his coffee and talking and joking with his friends. When he was younger he enjoyed fishing & hunting and camping and vacationing in Bangor Maine with his cousins, family and friends. Vincent is preceded by his parents Salvador and Philomena Branca Sr. his wife of 59 years Barbara Jane and two sisters Antoinette Grasso, Palamino Ceroni and one brother Frank Branca, and his grandson Richard H. Branca Jr. He is survived by his children: Mary Dilks and her late husband Ronald Sr. of E.H.T., Barbara Dilks and husband Curtis Sr. of Somers Point, Vincent Branca Jr. and wife Judy of E.H.T., Richard Branca and wife Sherri of E.H.T., Gary Branca, Frankie Branca and Michael Branca, of E.H.T. Four sisters and one brother, Madeline Bruno and her late husband Joseph of Pleasantville, Rose Barbera and husband Tom of E.H.T., Grace Lancaster and her late husband "Bud" of Somers Point, Phyllis Huntley and her husband Ted of Port. St. Lucie Fla., and Anthony Branca and his late wife Florence of West Palm Beach, Fla., Brother-in-law Louie Ceroni of Northfield, 12 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren. Several Nieces, Nephews. Cousins and Friends that will sadly miss him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 11:00 AM at the Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 6060 Shore Road, Somers Point. Friends may call from 10M until time of Mass at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers the family wishes all donations be made to the ARMC Hospice, P.O. Box 1626, Pleasantville, NJ 08232 or to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, www.MichaelJFox.org Condolences can be made at www.adams-perfect.com
Published in The Press of Atlantic City from October 1 to October 2, 2006