Michael Vecchio

Michael Vecchio, age 65, of Flemington, NJ, died Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at the Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington, NJ. He was born on May 22, 1946, in New York City, son of James E. Vecchio and Jennie Cass Vecchio. A Babyboomer and product of the 1960 s, he graduated from Hunterdon Central High School in 1964. He joined the U.S. Navy and served three tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. 7th Fleet, achieving the rank of Radarman 2nd Class and was Leading Radarman for Operations Intelligence Division. He was honorably discharged in October of 1970. Upon his return to civilian life, he remained very active in numerous veterans groups. He was a charter member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 452, serving in various executive positions, as well as being State Council President for Vietnam Veterans of America. He was also a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tin Can Sailors, Destroyer Escort Sailors and the Navy League. Locally, he served as President of the Hunterdon County Veterans Alliance and was project manager for the construction and dedication of the Hunterdon County Veterans Memorial. He was recognized for his efforts within the veteran community with a U.S. Congressional Record in 2000 and was awarded the NJ Distinguished Service Medal. He was also a recipient of the Legion of Honor and is a member of the Chapel of Four chaplains. In 2002, he was honored by the Jewish War Veterans for his service as a Vietnam Vet, as well as to the veteran community. He was inducted into Hunterdon Central s first Hall of Fame in 2009. This honor is based on an individual s achievements and service to community and country. He graduated from Raritan Valley College in 1997 with an AA in Business Management and earned a BA in Social Studies and a Minor in Psychology and Political Science from Centenary College in 2000. He did his graduate work at Kean University. He entered the teaching profession and retired in 2010 from Immaculata High School in Somerville, where he was a member of the Social Studies Department and assistant football coach. He was an Adjunct Professor at Centenary College and taught in the Peoples Republic of China in 2003. He was selected to Who s Who Among Teachers in America in 2004 and 2005 and was Teacher of the Year at Immaculata (2003/2004/2006/2007/2008/2009). He was honored with the Mackie Maxwell Award in 2011 at the Immaculata Golf Classic in appreciation for his service as history teacher and coach. He was predeceased by his sisters, Marianne Bracco and Rosemarie Frederiks, and his brother, Vincent Vecchio. He is survived by his wife, Irene M. Vecchio; a daughter, Kris Jacobs, and son-in-law, Lance Jacobs; a sister, Dr. Paula Vecchio; a granddaughter, Kylie Marie Jacobs; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Funeral services will begin on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 10:00 AM in the Robert L. Ford Funeral Home, #38 Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, followed by a Funeral Liturgy at 11:00 AM in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Three Bridges, NJ. Interment will follow in St. Magdalen’s Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, August 19 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, New Jersey 08887. Please visit www.fordfuneralhome.com for further information or to send condolences.