Vincent Contento

Vincent “Jimmy” Contento, of Orient died Oct. 17 at San Simeon by the Sound in Greenport. Known as Jimmy, Jim-O, Pop-Pop, and later, Pop, Jimmy meant so many things to so many people during his 88 years. 

Jimmy was born Jan. 22, 1928, in Redbank, N.J., the youngest of five children. He was raised in Cliffside Park, in a close-knit family surrounded by the love of his mother, Mary, and siblings, Joe, Dom, Tony and Dolly. His father, Joseph, died when Jimmy was one.

Jimmy attended St. Cecelia’s High School, where he had the unique experience of having Vince Lombardi as a football coach. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1950 and served two years in combat during the Korean War, receiving a Bronze Star. After returning from Korea in 1952, he secured a position as a pipe fitter with Lever Brothers in Edgewater, N.J. He worked there for 31 years.

In 1958, Jimmy married Rosemary Brede. She died suddenly in 1973. During Jimmy’s time at Lever Brothers, he had become friends with another pipe fitter, Carroll Caufield. He took many trips to the North Fork with the Caufield family, and later courted and married Carroll’s sister-in-law, Joanie in 1983. For 25 years, Jimmy and Joanie, known as “Pop and Nanny,” made their home in Orient, as they watched their family grow.

Jimmy was an avid clammer, always claiming to have a “secret clamming spot.” Family said he was also a master tinkerer and there was “nothing Pop” couldn’t fix, or at the very least, he provided you with the tools or parts needed to do the job on your own.” Despite the “hoarders gone wild” appearance of his shop, filled with items bought during weekly yard sale outings, Jimmy always knew where to find every last item.

Predeceased by his first wife, Rosemary, Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife, Joanie; his children and stepchildren, Billy Contento, Maura (Paul) Berenato, Tina Contento, Eddie (Janice) Caufield, Ellen (Patrick) Kelly, Timmy Caufield, Rosie (Jeffrey) Rogers, Patty Caufield and Chris (Morgan) Caufield; 2o grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with one on the way. He was also predeceased by his siblings.

The family received visitors Oct. 20 at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. A funeral Mass took place Oct. 21 at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. Burial followed at Orient Central Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport.

This is a paid notice.