Vincent F. Cremonese

Vincent Francis Cremonese “Vince,” 86, passed peacefully the morning of March 22, 2018 with his wife and daughters at his bedside in Fountain Hills.

Lovingly remembered by Dorothy Elizabeth Bell, wife of 53 years; daughters, Susan Hixson and Michelle (Andy) Smout; with step-daughters, Lynne Harnois, Kerrie Bringhurst, Jan Della Vedova and, preceded in death, Gail Thorley; grandchildren Kara (Hixson) Avey, Kaycee (Hixson) Johnson, Danielle Hixson, Nicholas Smout, Elizabeth Smout, Wesley Smout and great granddaughter, Charlotte Avey, along with 14 step-grandchildren and 27 great step-grandchildren.

He will also be forever remembered by his sister, Lillian Maglione, nieces and nephew Lori Bell, Lisa Ambach and Edward Maglione.

Born at home on Jan. 8, 1932 in New York City to Joseph and Susan (Casale) Cremonese, the family lived in Mount Vernon, N.Y. where Vince attended Longfellow Elementary School and graduated from Davis High School. He had fond memories of his childhood with his sister, Lillian, and often told endearing stories of his growing up years. He thought highly of his loving family and the respect he held for his dear mother.

Shortly after high school graduation (1950), he joined the United States Army and enlisted as a military police officer (1951-1955) stationed in Honolulu for a good portion of his enlistment.

After his term with the Army, he returned to Mount Vernon where he secured a job at the local airport and attended the Academy of Aeronautics in New York, followed by Teterboro School of Aviation in New Jersey. It was around that time when he purchased a small airplane and put his mother in a flutter by flying over the house. In 1961, Vince enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, working as an aircraft mechanic supervisor.

Vince’s career interests were planted early in the aviation world. He spent 35-plus years working in the industry for Hughes Aircraft Company in Culver City, Calif., McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems and Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz. His work related directly to the combat readiness of the AH-64A Apache Attack Helicopter prior to retiring from Boeing as director of military customer support (1996).

His co-workers referred to him as the “Apache logistics and support expert,” for he excelled at solving critical logistic issues. He assisted several of the Army’s battalions in order to get the Apache fleet up to standard by recommending modifications and providing viable solutions. His efforts were realized when the first battalion deployed to Operation Desert Shiled/Storm.

Don Vinson, Colonel, US Army, gave final thoughts at the time of Vince’s retirement stating, “He is always competent, always caring, and always a friend to those flying his hardware into hostile skies.”

Vince’s family held a graveside memorial honoring his life on March 25 in southern Utah, where family members expressed their fondest memory and enjoyed contemplating the love he had for each and every one.

He will be remembered as one who valued family and country with the utmost respect. If he were still with us today, we are confident he would tell you, “All the world is filled with love, when there’s love at home,” lyrics from his favorite hymn, titled “Love At Home.”

A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Fountain View Village for their compassion and medical expertise while caring for our loved one.