Vincent Joseph Tafuri, 67, Retired Fire Chief of Thornton Rural Fire District. Went home to be with his Heavenly Father after an illness of colon/liver cancer on April 17, 2018, with his wife Christina by his side. Vince (Chief) was born on January 18, 1951 in Stockton, California to Anthony Paul and Mary Marie Tafuri. In Vince’s younger years, he worked @ Waterloo liquors and The Avenue Inn as well as other places around Stockton. He enjoyed his time as President of the Raiders Club in Stockton. On January 9, 1977 he went to the Super-Bowl in Pasadena, California, which of course the Raiders won 32-14. His ticket was $13, and they were great seats. He owned an eye glass business in Burson, California. There he bought land and built a home and ranch. He hand dug every single fence post on the property, where he raised cows and pigs. He finally got to be the cowboy of his dreams…During this period, he was involved with the ambulance and fire departments in the Foothills and San Joaquin County. He also sold fire equipment all over California. Vince worked in the Ambulance and Fire Services for over 35 years. As Chief of Thornton Fire, he was instrumental in getting all the equipment for Thornton Fire that they still use to this day. He took great pride in teaching fire classes in the Foothills and San Joaquin County. He was strict, but always fair, with all of his dealings with Fire Services; as well as in his personal life. He was proud of all of the training that was accomplished in Thornton, that gave so many Firefighters their start in their careers. All have said how much they appreciated Chief and how much he taught them. He was on the Fire Investigation Unit in San Joaquin County. He enjoyed the science behind the scene. He also loved to fish, cook, BBQ, and entertain. He surrounded himself with great people, for which there too many to name.
He waited until he was 60 years old to find the love of his life, his wife Christina. They were inseparable once they started dating. He loved going anywhere with her and no matter where they were; concerts, events, trips, or just a store; they would always run into someone he knew. Vince & Christina had made plans to make Las Vegas their forever home. But that dream was put aside after his cancer returned. Alas, his pain is gone and he got his wings immediately.
Vincent leaves behind his wife Christina Maria; sister Anna Marie Tafuri; son Christopher; grand-daughter Kiya; neice Jennifer; 2 grand-neices Alessia & Jacee as well as his cousin Ernie Lodato and his best friend of over 50 years Michael Hedricks. His family, mother-in-law, so many other close friends in the Fire Service, neighbors and loved ones.
Viewing will be April 24, 2018 from 10 A.M.-6 P.M. Rosary will begin at 6 P.M. at DeYoung Shoreline Memorial Chapel, 7676 Shoreline Dr. Stockton CA 209-472-0335. Interment services, on April 30, will begin precisely at DeYoung Shoreline Memorial with a Fire Escort for Chief’s Final Alarm. Precession to San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, 719 E. Harding way, Stockton, California.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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