Vincent J. Gottuso, an 88-year-old resident of Ellwood City, gracefully departed this world on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Passavant Lutheran Senior Life.
Born on August 12, 1935 in Ellwood City to the late Joseph and Elizabeth DeMauro Gottuso, Vincent’s journey was marked by significant achievements and a passion for a Christian life. Graduating from Lincoln High School in 1953, he went on to earn a degree in Industrial Engineering from Geneva College in 1959. Vincent dedicated 32 years of his professional life to the Kennedy Space Center, NASA, retiring in 1990. As a U.S. Army Veteran, he served as a Specialist Fourth Class with the Missile Firing Laboratory of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL from May 1958 to May 1960. His commitment to service continued as a civil servant when ABMA transitioned to NASA. Vince was at NASA when Dr. Werner Von Braun’s dream of going into space became a reality. He often told family and friends that he worked “right down the hall from Dr. Von Braun.”
Mr. Gottuso was a devout Catholic and member of Divine Grace Parish. He found joy in simple pleasures such golfing with the Wampum Seniors, landscaping, general yard work, and making greeting cards.
Vincent was the oldest of seven siblings. He is survived by two sisters Grace Fornataro and Marie Elaine Pelloni of Ellwood City; three brothers and one sister-in-law: Joseph Gottuso of Beaver Falls, Robert (Joan Gottuso) of Cranberry Twp., and Dennis Gottuso of St. Cloud, FL. Vince was a beloved uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his mother and father, Vince was preceded in death by his sister, Sr. Theresa Gottuso, MPF, brother-in-law, Gus Fornataro and sisters-in-law, Donna Gottuso and Antoinette Gottuso.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church located at 415 4th St, Ellwood City, PA 16117 on Thursday, February 15. Visitation at the church will start at 10:30AM and the Funeral Mass will start at 11:00AM with Fr. Joseph Freedy officiating. Members of the Veterans Honor Guard are asked to meet at the church by 11:45 pm to conduct full military honors. Interment will be at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery. The funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc..
Memorial contributions may be made in Vincent Gottuso’s name to the Divine Grace Food Pantry, 300 Crescent Ave. #1 Ellwood City, PA 16117 or Ellwood City Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 242 Ellwood City, PA 16117
Deepest sympathy.