Hanover Township officials and residents held a celebration of life for long time public works employee and supervisor Vincent Milite at the township’s community center Jan. 21. Milite had passed away Jan. 9 after a lengthy bout with cancer. Over 200 people were in attendance to recall “a life well lived.”

Township manager Jay Finnigan said, “We are judged by our quality of life and Vince packed a lot of quality into his 58 years.”

Milite’s father Emil said, “It’s hard to speak about someone you loved for 58 years in only a few minutes ... and there’s always a special bond with your first born.”

His daughters and step-daughter, Kaitlyn Moretz, Allison Milite and Rebecca Salabsky, said they were known as “Vince’s daughters” and recalled that he was “fearless” and that the first word they could think of was “love.”

Co-workers Marty Limpar, Jeremy Bucko and Dave Savage, and friend Dave Keim recalled a number of pranks initiated by Milite, and Bucko perhaps summarized all of their feelings by saying, “I am truly grateful that Vince was a big part of my life.”

Former township supervisor Joan Rosenthal recalled Milite’s kindness, and current township supervisor Mike Prendeville called him a “terrific example of grit, grace and humility.”

In closing, Finnigan urged those attending, on behalf of Milite’s wife Trisha and his family, to apply several principles from the Greek word ‘Philotimo’ (friend and honor) to honor Milite’s memory: “take pride in what you do and do the right thing because your behaviors are a reflection of self, family, community and country.”

Refreshments were served at the conclusion of the celebration.