Vincent Napolitano

Vincent A. Napolitano

November 27, 2009


Vincent A. Napolitano entered eternal life November 27th at St. Joseph's Hospital surrounded by his family at the age of 90.

Vincent was a 1938 graduate of North High School where he played football and baseball, as well as a student of gymnastics under Mr. Gebhardt. As a member of "The Markson Juniors" baseball team he played right field and assisted his teammates in becoming the American Legion State Champions in 1935. He was with the Syracuse Police Department as a Creek Patrolman and directed traffic at West and Fayette Sts. where he was known as "Smiley the Cop". In 1957 he joined the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department and worked in every division including the Cedar St. Jail as well as volunteering for duty on the first SCUBA team for the department. Vincent spent 24 years in the Juvenile Division guiding the youth of Onondaga County as well as speaking on Juvenile Delinquency in all the county middle and elementary schools. Spending 32 years in police work Vincent retired in 1984. He was a charter member of the Sheriff's Benevolent Association, a member of the Syracuse Police Retirees Association, and a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 68 years the former Thelma Poulsen, son Thomas V., daughters and spouses Cathy (Frank) Mucci, Beverly (Johnny) Granone, grandchildren, Jennifer & Anthony Nappi, Jessica Napolitano, Catherine (Napolitano)Brown, Frank Mucci Jr. and Johnny Vincent Granone. Also, brothers and sisters, Anthony and Leo Napolitano, Margaret Hoffsher and Esther Bowles; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday 9:30 AM at St. John the Baptist, 406 Court St., Syracuse, NY. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners, NY. Calling Hours will be Thursday from 4-8 PM at New Comer Funeral Home, 705 N. Main St., North Syracuse.