Vincent J. Witkowski Jr.

Vincent John Witkowski, Jr.
February 4, 1947 - March 27, 2022
Vincent (fondly known as Skip to some) was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years Patricia Gail (Lohse), both of them having known each other's families for their entire lives. He was also predeceased by his parents, Vincent Witkowski, Sr. and Alice (nee Klunck), as well as his brother Thomas (aka Tommy) and sister, Joan (aka Joanie). Vince's youngest brother, James (aka Jimmy) and his wife Donna are long-time residents of Las Vegas, NV.
Vince was an Army brat, moving with his parents constantly, including tours in Germany and Italy, where he was able to see the 1960 Summer Olympics. He attended over 12 different schools and colleges, setting the stage for a fulfilling life full of travel, ultimately living / visiting over 40 countries and 50 states. He loved recounting stories of playing golf on six continents, having scored a hole-in-one in Ethiopia. Their world travels together eventually led Vince and Patty to adopting their daughters from an orphanage in Caracas, Venezuela in 1982, bringing them to the United States the following year. In another source of wanderlust pride, Vince excitedly took his granddaughter, Violet, on a two week overseas trip, traveling to Canada, Italy, Poland, and Germany, visiting Pompeii, Rome, Auschwitz-Birkenau and many other towns.
His daughters, Cristiana Marielena Campbell, and Alyson Maritza Ward were the joys and central focus of his life. He was a proud grandfather of Violet and Marisela Gerner, and Grayson and Ashton Campbell, who always brought a smile to his face. He was a wonderful grandpa - always championing his grandchildren's individual talents and accomplishments to anyone who would listen. He took delight in playing games like chess, backgammon, and Battleship with them, attending their sports events and concerts, and made sure they felt loved. Though he had only been able to see his step-grandson Matthew Gerner a few times in more recent years, he was proud to follow Matthew's teaching and basketball coaching career.Skip also loved his sons-in-law Shawn Campbell and Andrew Ward, taking a road trip with them to watch his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Navy Midshipman in 2015 in South Bend, IN. He even made sure to put treats in Christmas stockings for his many "grand-pups" and "grand-kitties".
He was a proud Vietnam veteran who served in Army Security Agency Military Intelligence units in Ethiopia, Thailand, Vietnam and Vint Hill Farms, Virginia. His earlier years gave him the distinction of being one of the youngest people invited to teach at United State Military Academy West Point (which he ultimately turned down),and receiving VA benefits that helped him through undergraduate colleges, as well as Rutgers University and Seton Hall Law Schools, where he received his Juris Doctorate degree. He was also in discussions to return to the military, after adopting the girls, as a JAG officer, though he decided to remain in the civilian law profession. Vince was always happy to discuss his military past with others young and old, driven to additionally honor others who spent time serving in military branches as well.
After a long career in legal and human resource-related roles throughout the world with companies like CE Lummus and Keuffel and Esser, Vince ultimately retired as an Executive Vice President with CIGNA. As his time with CIGNA came to an end, Vince then continued with a part-time legal practice.
While working, and even throughout retirement, Vince was always driven to volunteerism. Earlier in his years, he helped adults learn to read, proctored tests for students, delivered holiday meals to families out-of-state, and donated and spent time with many other charitable organizations. One of the more fun activities he participated in was volunteering for Stenton Family Manor, whereby he assisted children from the homeless shelter, helping them to purchase holiday gifts for their families, wrap the presents, and then bowl and play video games over the day-long event. In his local town of Woodstown, New Jersey, he was President of the Disciples Pantry at Asbury Methodist Church, running the food pantry. He took extreme pride in ensuring that the pantry was organized well with volunteers (constantly spending time there himself) and maintained a certain level of food donations. While there, he increased their local outreach to include engagement with local schools and other children's organizations, always wanting to teach younger generations the importance of taking care of your local community. Politically, he was a member and leader of local Republican and Young Republican organizations until 2016, previously serving as Chairman of the Woodstown Republican Committee.
Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Saturday April 2nd from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Bradley Funeral Home, Rt. 73 and Evesham Rd., Marlton, NJ. A Celebration of Vincent's Life will begin at 12:30 PM. In honor of Vincent, the family requests that attendees wear at least one item of GREEN.
In lieu of flowers, please send your support to the Disciples' Pantry, 149 S. Main Street, Asbury Methodist Church, Woodstown, New Jersey, 08098 (http://www.asburyumcwoodstown.org/). In lieu of tears, we ask that you celebrate the amazing life Vince lived, a life second to none, but lived humbly always.