Vincent P. Brana

Vincent P. Brana, a resident of Ho-Ho-Kus NJ Passed away peacefully on February 12, 2024 at the age of 89. He was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. His parents, Domenico and Angela Brana, recent immigrants from Gravina in Puglia, settled in the Highbridge section of the Bronx surrounded by relatives from Italy. Family and faith were the cornerstones that shaped Vincent’s life. At a young age, he learned the value of hard work and the ability to multitask. While an honor student at Cardinal Hayes High School, Vincent spent every morning before class working on his father’s ice truck.

Vincent went on to study at Fordham University School of Business, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. While attending college, he worked in the mailroom at Pan American Airways where he met his future bride, Anne Roughley. Following commencement, he spent a year in the army at Fort Bliss, Texas. He began his career in the executive sales training program at Firestone Tire and became store manager for their downtown New York location. He married his wife Anne in 1958. In 1965, he switched companies and opened his Goodyear tire dealership with two locations in the Tribeca area of New York City. His children Annemarie and Dominick were born, and Vincent worked hard to provide for his growing family. During the next several years, in addition to operating the tire dealership, he began investing in real estate in Tribeca and Soho in lower Manhattan and New Jersey.

Vincent sold the tire business and started Securities Courier Corporation, a transportation company specializing in logistics for banking and finance clients. Securities Courier operated primarily in New York and New Jersey but offered courier services throughout the country. In addition, he started Tribeca Limousine, a transportation company located in lower Manhattan.
His civic efforts included serving as President of the Bayside Gables Association, the community where he lived.

Vincent spent many happy summers and winters with his family and friends at a second home at the foot of ELK Mountain in the Village of Four Seasons , Union Dale Pennsylvania. There he also took a leadership role serving several terms on the community’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

While Vincent spent long hours working, he was also an active member of the Downtown Athletic Club, playing in their highly competitive weekly handball league, and attending many club functions including the annual Heisman Award Dinner. Vincent served on the Board of Governors of the Downtown Athletic Club from 1988–1992. He was a member of the Forum Club, a patron of the arts including the magazine La Folia, and served on the Archdiocese of New York ‘s Committee for the Laity, founding and chairing the Cardinal’s Annual Golf Outing for fifteen consecutive years.

Vincent and his wife followed his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren to Ho-Ho-Kus NJ , moving to the area in 1992. Vincent continued sharing his talents with his church and charitable foundations. He was an active member of St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, and also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, achieving the rank of Knight with Grand Cross. He served on the Boards of the Tri-State Italian-American Organization and the Columbian Society of Bergen County.

“Vinny” was known for his kindness and positive outlook on life. He was the life of the party, connecting people wherever he went. In retirement, he enjoyed many afternoons with friends as a member of Upper Montclair Country Club.

Vincent is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Anne, daughter Annemarie and her husband Douglas Todd, son Dominick and his wife Meghan Brana. His favorite role was the adored “Poppy” to his seven grandchildren, Vincent Todd, Christopher Todd, Brendan Todd, Sophia Brana McNamee, Vincent Brana, Nicholas Brana and Matthew Brana. He recently welcomed granddaughters Lauren Todd and Jill Todd, and grandson Liam McNamee to the family.

Family will be receiving friends on Thursday February 15 starting at 9 :45 am at St. Luke’s Church, 340 N. Franklin Turnpike Ho-Ho-Kus. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 am, with burial to follow.

Donations in Vincent P. Brana’s name may be made to Mercy House, run by The Archdiocese of Newark, which provides food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, housing and work for families and individuals in need.

https://rcan.org/sharing/

Mercy House
20 Greenville Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07305