This past Sunday, the Feast of Divine Mercy in the Catholic Church, Vincent dePaul Zeller took his last breath on this earth and his first breath in Eternal Life. He was surrounded by his loving family; his wife of 44 years, Michele (Shelly nee Marra); his son Vincent and his daughter Vanessa; two of his three siblings; Richard Zeller, Jr. (Cyndy) and Marybett. His twin sister Therese is traveling from Hawaii to be with the family. He is also survived by his adoring grandson, CJ (Charles Abramowitz) and seven nieces and nephews.

The overriding theme of this past week has been the regaling of a reliable, honest, steady, and upright man. Vince is a genuine man, a solid and predictable guy who you could often set your watch by and could always depend upon. His morning routine was consistent, methodical and reliable. At 71, he was still working an 8+ hour day which he began with daily Mass. The one habit he did alter over the past six years was being home by 5:30. Where in years gone by, while building his career in finance, he notoriously spent 12 to 14 hours in the office, he now observed a more reasonable 8 to 10 hours per day so that he could come home and spend quality time with his one and only grandchild, CJ who he adored. Whether it was playing the sock game; Upey, Upey; collecting trash for trash day; weekly washing of the car; weeding, playing baseball or soccer (which he knew absolutely nothing about but CJ loved) it didn't matter, he was spending time with Ceej. Having a grandchild made him very happy.

Vince was the youngest of four. His dear mother and father (Elizabeth Quinn Zeller & Richard V. Zeller, Sr.) had all in 2 1/2 years beginning at the age of 37! It was apparent in Vince's personality that much of his parent's grit and perseverance passed through the bloodlines. Born and raised in Narberth, he attended St. Margarets Elementary School and went on to begin his high school years at Monsignor Bonner for Freshman year. Transferring to Archbishop Carol when it opened in 1967, he took pride in being in the first graduating class in 1970. Vince seldom missed reunions or gatherings of his classmates. He also consistently supported throughout his entire lifetime, all of his alma maters - Just another testimony to his loyalty and reliability. Putting himself through La Salle College (not yet University) and Drexel University (MBA Finance) by working at the Penn Fruit and mowing lawns at the local cemetery were a source of pride.

Vince began his business career in 1975 landing a job with the fledgling company, Space Rentals in Bala-Cynwyd. This initiated his career into the mobile and modular industry which spanned over 45 years. The majority of his years were spent in the corporate world of mobile and modular leasing with a five-year foray into nonprofits. His expertise in operations, acquisitions, contracts, law, and finance made him a unique asset in setting up the framework for the now established Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.  But his heart was always in trailers! And when an opportunity presented itself to re-enter that arena, he promptly pivoted to the industry that had served him so well, ending his career at Aries Building Systems based in Arlington, Virginia.

As his life partner, I always knew that he would probably die in his boots. An avid tennis player, he sadly had to stop because of bad knees and ankles from his years of basketball and tennis. So, in a unique and strange way, his career was his hobby. His faith, family and friends were his life and taking care of them and providing for them his life's work. He is a testimony of the ever-faithful, spouse, and father and grandfather. As it says in the Book of Sirach 44: "His reputation will be passed on to his descendants and this will be his inheritance. His family will continue to keep the covenant, and will continue because of what their father did. His family line will continue and his glory will not fade. His body will be laid to rest, but his reputation will live forever."

In recognition of his beautiful blue eyes and his favorite color, we invite all if they feel so inclined, to wear something blue; a suit, a tie, a shirt or dress (and we won't go there!) as a little Wink to our special guy. The Man of Constancy, always true BLUE.

Donations would be gratefully accepted by St. Mary Magdalen School in Media Pennsylvania in Vince's memory. His two children attended SMM from kindergarten through eighth grade and his grandson is now enrolled there. He spent much of his free time over the years involved in parish activities. He served on the finance committee for over 30 years, enjoyed the men's club, breakfast with Santa, CYO basketball, and, most notably, endured his wife donating her time for many, many years to our beloved Spiritual Home.

He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Vincent's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Wednesday, April 17th at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA 19063. There will be a visitation in the church from 9:30 - 11:15 am.

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Arrangements provided by Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home
www.haganfuneralhome.com