VINCENT TOCCI

TOCCI VINCENT R. TOCCI USAF (Ret.) 1926-2021 Died November 29, 2021, at home in Falls Church, VA. His 95-year life included a 30-year military career that saw service in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam; another decade of success as head of communications for the American Chemical Society; and two more decades in education, teaching at American University and tutoring hundreds of immigrants and high school drop-outs. Vince was adored for his generosity, cheerful humor, intellect, and delight in helping others to succeed. He remained active into his 10th decade, and his passions were singing, the arts, sports, lively debate, fine cuisine and all things Italian. Above all, he was devoted to his Catholic faith, his wife Margaret, and to his extended family; any time they gathered, he radiated happiness. Born in Carnegie, PA., he enrolled at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University at 16, but was drafted into the infantry at 18. After training as a medic, he worked nearly until the end of WWII on a hospital ship in the Pacific. Vince returned to Duquesne on the G.I. Bill, earned his biology degree in 1949, and married Anne McCarthy. Recalled to active duty for the Korean War, he happily undertook the life of a US Air Force officer. Assignments included Japan (in support of the "Black Sheep" bomber squadron), Vietnam (where he was one of the media briefers at the contentious "Five O'clock Follies" daily media scrums), and a life-changing posting to Italy. He also completed his Master's in Education. When Anne died in 1969, leaving him with their six children to comfort, he drew strength from his family, work and faith. A few years later he was assigned to Naples, Italy, where he met Margaret (nee Sweeney) Moore, a widow with two daughters of her own; they married in 1976. Retiring as a Lt. Col. in 1979, Vince became director of public communications for the D.C.-based American Chemical Society, where he built an award-winning team to improve public understanding of science. He later was an adjunct professor at American University for 14 years, and for 21 years taught as a volunteer at the Alexandria Adult Learning Center. Read more about Vince's life at www.everlycommunity.com Survivors include his wife Margaret, and seven children: Vincent Tocci, Jr. (m. Elvira), Lisa Tocci (Les Brindley), William Tocci, Sr. (Sandra Collins), David Tocci, Christina Tocci (Peter Flynn), Alexandra "Aly" Moore and M. Dana Moore. A daughter, Regina Tocci, predeceased him. Also, 13 grandchildren (Nicholas and Anthony Tocci, William Tocci Jr., Heather Tocci, Joshua, Jeremy, Seth and Caleb Flynn, Wesley and Connor Swank, Esme and Grace Hough and Jacob Moore) and two great-grandchildren (Liam and Isabella Tocci). Visitation and memorial service will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 11 at Everly Funeral Home, 6161 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Catholic Charities of Arlington (www.ccda.net) or having a Mass said at any Catholic Church on Vince's behalf.Visitation and memorial service will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 11 at Everly Funeral Home, 6161 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Catholic Charities of Arlington (www.ccda.net) or having a Mass said at any Catholic Church on Vince's behalf.