Vincent Ferrante

Vincent Ferrante, 84, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on March 12, 2015 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Born in Torrenova, Sicily, he was the son of the late Pietro and Teresa (Monastra) Ferrante. Vincent served as a military policeman in Genoa, Italy. He immigrated to the United States in 1959 to pursue the American dream. Vincent, along with Maria Ferrante, founded the Italian French Pastry Shop at 221 S. 5th Street in Reading where people travelled from afar to taste his rum cakes, as well as many other delicious pastries. Vincent also furthered his education by going to night school at Reading High School and receiving his high school diploma in 1977. He was a composer of music and he played with the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra. He also taught Italian cooking classes at Reading High School. He was a man of many abilities, including multiple musical talents.

Vincent was a member of The Sons of Italy, The Spartaco Club, and many other Italian-American organizations. He was a former member of Holy Rosary Church in Reading, until moving to Florida. Vincent also owned businesses in Sicily which is where he spent his summers after retirement with his family.

Vincent is survived by his three children with Maria (Scafidi) Ferrante; Peter, husband of Eileen, of Kenhorst; Joseph of Kenhorst; and Teresa, wife of John Beilhart III of Shillington. Vincent was the grandfather of Stephanie, Tiffany, Lauren, Ryan, Joseph, Erika, Adam, Dane, Kyle, and Mia. He was also the great-grandfather of Taylor, Sienna, Eathan, Camren, Connor, Sophie, Giovanni, and Tinderly.

In addition to his family in Pennsylvania, Vincent was the father of Julia (Ferrante) Salzer and Elizabeth Ferrante. He is also survived by two sisters Maria (Ferrante) Proiti and Anna Ferrante, of Torrenova, Sicily and a brother, Anthony, husband of Janice, White Plains, New York. He was predeceased by his brother Natale Ferrante, of Sicily.

Friends may visit with the family Sunday, March 22 from 6-8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. There will also be time to visit Monday, March 23 from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Gethsemane Cemetery in Laureldale. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter, 3701 Pender Drive, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.