Obituaries
Vincent P. Herron, Jr., 84
November 15, 2017
Vincent P. Herron, Jr., 84, died unexpectedly at home, in his easy chair, on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, in Lancaster, PA. Vince was born at home to his parents Vincent Paul, Sr., and Frances (Reynolds) Herron, in Ashley, PA. He attended St. Leo’s Elementary School for first through fourth grade. Then his family moved to Wilkes-Barre, PA, where he attended St. Mary’s School for grades five through eight, then GAR High School, graduating in 1951. He was drafted in 1953, during the Korean War, and did his basic training at Camp Polk in Louisiana. Because of the Armistice, he was honorably discharged two months before shipping out from Fort Riley, Kansas in 1955. He had a profound respect for those who served in Korea, especially during the Korean winters. He attended Wilkes College 1955-1957, and Penn State University 1957-1959, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married Sally (Sarah Gribbon) of Youngstown, OH, on November 19, 1960.
Before being drafted, Vince worked several jobs. One of which he particularly liked was working at the Bundle of Joy Baby Wear Factory; he especially enjoyed saying the name. After receiving his engineering degree, he worked at Republic Steel, Kelly Springfield Tire Company, and then moved to Lancaster in 1966 to work for Armstrong World Industries, from which he retired in 1999. Vince often said that getting drafted was the best thing that ever happened to him, because among other things, it enabled him to use the GI Bill to go to college, something that he would have never considered doing otherwise. His engineer cousin, Bill Scanlon, suggested he try engineering, so he did and earned the certification of Professional Engineer.
As a project engineer for Armstrong, Vince traveled extensively and created a spreadsheet with all his travels. He calculated that he spent 5.01 years on the road. He took his children camping and boating to many wonderful locations, memories which his children cherish. After retirement, Vince met daily with his McDonald’s crew and monthly for breakfast and lunch with his retired Armstrong colleagues, social occasions which were very dear to him. He recently started visiting the Universal Gym to use the machines and attend the Silver Sneakers classes, which he loved. He carried the Silver Sneakers schedule in his front shirt pocket, which he referred to frequently, and where it was found the day he passed. Vince attended his GAR class luncheons in Wilkes-Barre, weather permitting. After the death of his wife, Sally, the arrival of triplet grandchildren brought him a new life, and an amazement of their disinclination to wear jackets in cold weather. He was huge fan of TV, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and loved watching war movies, documentaries, football, anything Tom Selleck, and he would say with a grin, the Hallmark Channel. Vince liked to arrive early to church, where he found the peace and quiet of the ‘House of God’ to be very comforting. He was also the first to leave to beat the traffic.
We thank his many friends for their friendships over the years. We would also like to thank each of his doctors for their attentive care in the recent years. A special thank you to the staff of Universal Gym and the Silver Sneakers instructors for their warm embrace and making him feel special.
Vince was predeceased by his wife, Sally, in 2005, and is survived by his children, Elizabeth, Vincent and wife Sara, Patrick and wife Tina, and grandchildren, Colin, Zoe, and Lilah, his sister Ruth wife of Gary Wodder, and brother Jerry, husband of Ann, and leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marie McCabe, Kathryn Toole, and brother Herbie.
Vince was a parishioner of St. Anne Catholic Church and St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Lancaster, PA. The first viewing will be held, Monday, November 20, 7:00-9:00pm, at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA, 17543. The second viewing will be held, Tuesday, November 21, at 10:00am, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00am at Saint John Neumann Church, 601 East Delp Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601, 717-569-8531, followed by an interment at St. Joseph’s New Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster, PA.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
June 06, 2019
i only just found out about Vince’s passing. he and Sally were wonderful to me and my family when we moved to Lancaster in 1986.
Vince was my mentor when I joined Armstrong in 1986. He was a great friend and was so honored to become his manager one day.
My fondest memory of Vince was being able to promote him back to Senior Staff Engineer and giving him that promotion on Christmas eve at his front door. He cried and gave me a huge hug.
I will miss him!!
Craig Muss
November 22, 2017
I was a neighbor…..I waved and or spoke to Vincent almost everyday. I will miss him.
November 22, 2017
I was saddened to hear about Vince’s death, but it sounds like he passed peacefully, in the best way we could wish. Vince was a colleague at Armstrong and working with him was always a pleasant experience. He was smart and a gentleman.
Joe Jindela
November 20, 2017
To Family of Vincent P. Herron, Jr.
Keeping you close in thought and praying for you. Wishing you comfort and peace.
May God grant you all the strength you need. Vince was a wonderful person and close friend
He will always be remembered by us. With Deepest Sympathy Bob & Hazel M.
November 20, 2017
To Vince and Sally’s “kids”
I read with sadness of the death of your father, Vince. He was my husband’s “best friend” and fellow engineer at Armstrong. Since Howard died suddenly on January 1, I can only imagine them meeting again in heaven with their beloved slide rules in their pockets!
I also have fond memories of visiting Sally and Vince in your home when you three were young and running about (maybe not Elizabeth, though). So I extend my sincere condolences to you and your families of whom your parents were so proud!
In sympathy,
Ellen McCabe
Ellen McCabe
November 20, 2017
I was saddened to hear about Vince’s recent death, but it sounds like he passed exactly the way he wished. For me, Vince was a trusted colleague at Armstrong and working with him was always a positive experience. God bless him and his family.
Steve Senkowski
November 20, 2017
SO SORRY FOR YOUR FAMILYS LOSS,PRAYES ARE WITH YOU. MARGARET HERRON RUSINCHAK WEST WYOMING PA. EDWARDS DAUGHTER.
November 20, 2017
Dear Elizabeth, Vincent and Pat,
Your father was such a true friend to many, especially to my parents. It makes me smile to know that Bob, Lenie, Sally and Vince are all up in heaven now – – spending time together again.
He had a quiet strength and was a true gentleman. We will keep you in our prayers and please take care,
Love,
The Foley Family
- Visitation
- Monday, November 20, 2017
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Visitation
- Tuesday, November 21, 2017
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Saint John Neumann Church
- 601 East Delp Road
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Tuesday, November 21, 2017
- 11:00 AM
- Saint John Neumann Church
- 601 East Delp Road
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
![Send Flowers Online](https://www.snyderfuneralhome.com/images/pushes/send-flowers.jpg)