GUILFORD, CONN. – Vincent Volpe, the longtime president of Jarvis Products Corp., who was also known for his community service, philanthropy and love of his family, died at his home on April 3, at the age of 91. Volpe is remembered as a “self-made captain of industry,” and an “eternal entertainer” to his family, friends and business associates. He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Susanne Ryder Volpe, three stepchildren and four children from his 56-year marriage to Madeline Cacace Volpe, who died in 2007. He also leaves behind multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Volpe began working at Jarvis Corp., a manufacturing company specializing in meat-processing machinery, in 1955 on a temporary basis, initially assigned to clean machinery. Soon, he moved to Guilford to work at a Jarvis facility as the export sales manager of machine tools and first developed the company’s global business, organizing corporations in Canada, Australia and Argentina. He later became president of Jarvis and went on to launch companies in 12 more countries in the decades that followed, establishing a global distribution network. He worked to expand the business until the day he died.  

A military veteran, Volpe received a US Army Freedom Team Salute for his service in World War II. In 2003, he received the Chapter Award of Merit from the University of Connecticut Chapter Honor Society of Agriculture. In 2009, he was recognized with the NAACP Freedom Fund Award for his support and partnership with the community of Middletown, Conn., and served on the board of directors of the Padre Pio Foundation of America. A longtime parishioner at St. George’s Catholic Church, Volpe also served on the Interfaith Council Board of Guilford. He was a member of the Quinnipiack Club and Amity Club of New Haven and actively contributed to numerous local charities.

Memorial services will be held at a later date when Volpe’s family and friends can gather together to honor his life. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to: the Women & Family Life Center of and the Padre Pio Foundation of America.