Robert Anthony Vince, Sr.

Robert A. Vince, 85, of Hannastown, passed away Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at his home. He was born Jan. 21, 1939, to the late Anna (Humenansky) Vince and John Vince. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his six siblings, John Jr., Phillip, Carl (Pete), Anna MaeDominick, Mary Ann-Mangini and Josephine-Shylock; and grandson, Zachary-Hunter Vince. He was born in Hannastown and grew up with a baseball glove in his back pocket. Robert graduated in 1956 from Greensburg Salem High School and was locally known as the slick fielding short stop for the Hannastown Braves in the Westmoreland County Baseball league. He could have signed a baseball contract for the Kansas City Athletics, but Uncle Sam drafted him for the U.S. Army in 1961. There, he continued to enjoy his military time as the starting third baseman for the traveling U.S. Army Baseball team stationed out of Fort Bragg, N.C. He served his two years in the Army and then returned home to play a few more years in the County League until it dissolved. He was good enough to have offers to try out for Major League teams that included the Pirates, Phillies and Dodgers but believed at 24 he was too old to pursue a major league career. So, then he began making a living for his family working at JC Penney Co., Teledyne Surface Chemical Co., in Forbes Road, and then retired from the PA Turnpike Maintenance Dept. in 2001. Sprucie, as he was known to many, enjoyed time with friends and family and hobbies that included golf, gardening, hunting and rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams. He loved to go to casinos with his wife, who he had adored for 63 years. He enjoyed the family gatherings, cooking and loved playing in the Hannastown Golf open with his son, Rob, and son-in-law, Seth Pevarnik. He also was one of the original founding members of the Keystone Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed passing on the tradition of hunting to his son and later enjoyed sharing that tradition with his grandson, Jonathan. He was a very insightful man who was not bashful when it came to sharing advice, and he was more often right than wrong. He loved telling stories about growing up in a coal mining town with little to his name but said he wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world. It seasoned him to work hard and make an honest living that afforded him the ability to live a good life. His marriage of 63 years to his hometown sweetheart, Mary Lou Shola, exemplified structure and family values that were demonstrated for his children to model and live by. He was proud of his son, daughter, grandchildren and great-grandson. He felt the same about his son-in-law, Seth Pevarnik, and his daughter-in-law, Patricia Vince. So Proud. He was a Great Dad! He is survived by his adored wife, Mary Lou; son, Robert Jr. and wife, Patricia, and their son Jonathan, and daughter, Delaney; daughter, Lori Ann Pevarnik and husband, Seth, and their daughters, Emma Pevarnik and boyfriend, Dylan, and Anna Pevarnik-Repasky and husband, Cam; great-grandchild, Eli; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins on the Vince and Shola sides. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Robert from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-837-0020. Prayers of transfer will be said at 9:15 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in the St. Bartholomew Church, Crabtree, with Father Justin Matro, OSB, celebrating. Interment will follow in Calvary Hill Cemetery, Crabtree.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Zachary's Mission, P.O. Box 841, Greensburg, or zacharysmission.org. Robert's family has entrusted his care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg. For online condolences/directions, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.