A former Grand Knight for St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in South Brunswick held many roles within the Knights organization, most recently state deputy.
Vincent P. Tavormina, 72, of Monroe, passed away on Jan. 26. He battled with COVID-19 for two weeks before his passing, according to a statement released by Jim Stoever, state secretary for the State of New Jersey Knights of Columbus.
Tavormina was born and raised in Elizabeth, and lived in Linden and South Brunswick before moving to Monroe two years ago, according to his obituary, posted by Leonard-Lee Funeral Home in Linden.
Tavormina was a media consultant for Verizon Media for many years before he retired in 2014.
He was a 1965 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Elizabeth and a 1969 graduate of Seton Hall University with a degree in Business, and served in the United States Army.
Tavormina joined the Knights of Columbus in November 1996 and served as Grand Knight of St. Cecilia Council 7046 in the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, attaining the Star Council Award in 2001-2002.
He was appointed district deputy in 2005 and earned the Circle of Honor Award and Star District Award.
He later served as the diocesan membership chairman for the Metuchen Diocese.
In 2013, Tavormina was elected to the office of state advocate, followed by election as state treasurer (2015), state secretary (2017) and state deputy in May 2019, the office he held at the time of his passing.
“Vinnie was a true patriot of America having served in the Pershing Rifles and United States Army Reserves. He was unashamedly a pro-life Catholic whose faith was very important to him. His dedication to the Knights of Columbus was very evident in his words and actions from the time he joined our Order in 1996. Although his time as our state deputy was tragically cut short, his impact and leadership will be felt for some time to come. His death has left a void that we will be hard-pressed to fill,” Stoever said in the statement.
Tavormina was predeceased by his wife Elaine Falkowski Tavormina (2012). He is survived by his children Anthony Tavormina and his wife Meghan, Matthew Tavormina and his wife Grace, and Kristi Curry and her husband Michael; his sister Concetta Barraco; his grandchildren Marcelo, Jeffrey, Dominic and Brynne; his companion Tamara Cassidy; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Life Choices Resource Center, 503 Main St., Metuchen 08840.
Private services were held under the direction of the Leonard-Lee Funeral Home.
A celebration of Tavormina’s life will be held at a later date.