Visitation
Krause Funeral Home New Berlin
12401 West National Avenue
New Berlin, WI 53151
Monday 1/16,
4:00 pm - 6:45 pm
St. Mary's Visitation Parish
1260 Church Street
Elm Grove, WI 53122
Tuesday 1/17,
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Service
Krause Funeral Home New Berlin
12401 West National Avenue
New Berlin, WI 53151
Monday 1/16,
7:00 pm
Vigil Service
Memorial
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to make a donation on behalf of Vince to the Air Force Assistance Fund.
Sign Guest Book Here
Mass
St. Mary's Visitation Parish
1260 Church Street
Elm Grove, WI 53122
Tuesday 1/17,
10:30 am
Vincent James “Jim” LoDuca May 22, 1944 – January 6, 2023. Vincent passed away at home on Friday, January 6, 2023, eternally reunited with his loving parents, Thomas and Santa LoDuca. He is survived by: wife, Phyllis Haevers, children Katie LoDuca (fiancé Anthony Moore) and Tommy (Lindsey) LoDuca, brother Andy LoDuca, sister Anna Marie (Bill)…
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Vincent James “Jim” LoDuca May 22, 1944 – January 6, 2023.
Vincent passed away at home on Friday, January 6, 2023, eternally reunited with his loving parents, Thomas and Santa LoDuca.
He is survived by: wife, Phyllis Haevers, children Katie LoDuca (fiancé Anthony Moore) and Tommy (Lindsey) LoDuca, brother Andy LoDuca, sister Anna Marie (Bill) Low, nephew Ananda LoDuca, niece Neli (Bob) Boulet, and his close cousin Angela (Raffaele) Patrone. Further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Born on May 22, 1944 in Milwaukee, Vince grew up surrounded by a large Italian family and close-knit community in West Allis. From an early age, he took tap dance and accordion lessons, following in the footsteps of his father, Tom. Vince, along with brother, Andy, and sister, Anna, frequently accompanied his parents on summer trips to Italy where he visited relatives in Sicily and had many adventures.
He graduated from St. Rita Elementary School before attending Marquette University High School. While at Marquette High, he formed a band, the Starliners, with his cousins Andy and Vince Picciolo, playing at weddings and parties in the Milwaukee area on weekends. Vince went on to study and graduate from Marquette University in 1966, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and then attended Marquette University Law School, becoming a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association in January of 1970. He was an active member of the Vagabond Ski Club and belonged to the National Ski Patrol.
In 1969, Vince enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and joined the 440th Air Wing where he held a variety of posts including commander of MWR and the 95th Aerial Port Squadron until 1994. He met his wife, Phyllis, in the Air Force and made lifelong friends: Jim Fischer, Jim Rebholz, Bill Culver, and Tom Wilford. In 1994, Vince was promoted to Colonel and accepted a job with FEMA until his retirement from the service in 1999. He was especially proud of his role helping the people of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Marilyn.
While serving, Vince concurrently worked at LoDuca Bros, a company founded by his father and Uncle Guy LoDuca in 1941 which over the years gradually transitioned from a focus on music to a focus on wine importing and distribution. He became co-owner and President of LoDuca Bros, taking the reins from his father. He traveled extensively throughout Italy and Europe, meeting with vineyard owners, sampling new wines, and speaking at events and seminars. Vince was also active with the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee and provided the wine for Festa Italiana and other local festivals for many years.
Vince’s life changed with the births of his daughter, Katie, and son, Tommy. Always encouraging, he supported Katie as she pursued interests in fine art, tae kwon do, and fencing and Tommy’s pursuit of a career in medicine. He was a constant guiding hand for the children and cherished the time he spent driving the kids to school, editing their school papers, quizzing them with flashcards, telling them stories, and tucking them into bed at night. He was a constant source of advice on any topic and offered unwavering support for his family.
In addition to being fluent in Italian, Vince was fluent in music. He loved arranging and composing music on his keyboard and often filled the house with music. Everything from classics to jazz to Broadway, including some of his favorites— Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Gershwin, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli. Gardening was also among his hobbies; he took great pride in growing the largest vegetables and prettiest flowers. Vince was a member of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem: Priory of St. John the Baptist for more than 15 years, MOAA, and the American Legion.
The family wishes to thank the Police and Fire Department of Brookfield and New Berlin for their professional care of Vince.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, WI 53151. Additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Visitation Parish, 1260 Church St, Elm Grove, WI 53122, immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to make a donation on behalf of Vince to the Air Force Assistance Fund.
Julie (Agnew) Wu
left a message on January 18, 2023:
My deepest sympathy to the family. Vince and I were good friends during the early 1980s in The Vagabond Ski Club. REST IN PEACE, VINCE.~~Julie (Agnew) Wu
Candace Dietz
left a message on January 16, 2023:
I am so sad for the family. Your loss is huge. But what a wonderful, rich life he had with you and because of you.
I knew Vince when was in early years at Marquette U. A fun person. We were at Vince and Phyllis beautiful wedding. We will miss him forever. ❤️Candace Dietz
Karyn Kraft
left a message on January 15, 2023:
Phyllis, Katie, Tommy and family,
John and I send our deepest condolences for your loss of your husband and father. We are Keeping you in thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
John and Karyn Kraft
Al Manteuffel
left a message on January 13, 2023:
When I heard that Vince Lo Duca was suddenly gone, I naturally reflected on our 14 years of parallel military service in the 440th Air Wing, of the Air Force Reserve, lately of Milwaukee. Those 14 years are not, by any means, the sum of Vince’s entire military service, but they are the fraction that I know something about. Vince had started at the 440th in 1969, at about the same time as I was commissioned into the Active Duty AF. Based on my prior experience, I can say that the 440th was, without a doubt, the finest AF unit that I ever served in. No small amount of this credit was due to Vince.
I worked for Vince for a couple of years after I joined the Wing in the spring of 1980, and I learned a lot from him. Later he and I were fellow squadron commanders for his last seven years at the 440th. His unusual (for a non-pilot), well-deserved promotion to full Colonel compelled him to find a rank-equivalent slot at FEMA in 1994. Here, also, he excelled.
Vince was highly intelligent, with an active curiosity and an ability to quickly grasp the essence of a problem. This, and being a good manager, enabled Vince to successfully master no less than three significantly different Air Force career fields at increasing levels of responsibility during the time I knew and worked for and with him, namely ‘Parks and Recreation’ 😉 Administration (Chief - MWR), Supply/Logistics Management (MOBSF Commander) and Air Cargo Terminal Operations Management (Aerial Port Squadron Commander). During the Post-Vietnam Cold War period the AF Reserves were held to and measured against the exact same standards as the regular US Air Force. Vince and the units he commanded never failed to measure up to or exceed those high expectations. He was a consummate professional officer and a widely accomplished gentleman in the best traditions of the American Military.
The things he and I and many other Air Force Reserve officers (including his wonderful wife Phyllis) held in common at that time was, *we are not doing this just for the money, but rather we are doing this out of our sense of duty to our country, but also for the occasional adventure and for the camaraderie*. Vince always had a strong sense of duty to America and he was also a splendid comrade, remarkable for his quick wit and lively sense of humor. And, there might have been some (now largely forgotten by me) minor adventures.
As you may read in Vince’s updated obit, he was a man of many accomplishments outside of the Air Force as well. At the time, this kind of high level of dual-track job performance was sort of expected of the better senior officers in the Air Force Reserve such as Vince. In his case, each side informed and reinforced the other, to the benefit of both.
To sum up, Vince was truly remarkable in his personal qualities and for his many accomplishments, both in and out of the Air Force. On the military side, he upheld the very best tradition of the American ‘citizen soldier’. We may not see his like again anytime soon. He surely left the world a better place for his presence.
God’s Blessings. RIP Vince.
Lt Col Allan D Manteuffel, USFR (Ret)
Salvatore Ivan Italiano
left a message on January 12, 2023:
For the rest of the world, you were [Vincent James] “Jim” LoDuca, but to me YOU WILL always BE the only “DON VINCENZO”. You met (me) this Sicilian peasant 15 years ago and your mentorship forged my spirit and mind into that of a REAL MAN – BOY OH BOY! WHAT A MENTOR WAS GIVEN TO ME!!! […] Yes! Don V, thanks to you “I am now in gig line”, and despite the painful “present absence” of your physical guide, your spiritual one is there like the NORTH STAR. In whatever way, I hope to meet you again in the next life. YOUR forever faithful and devoted FRIEND [Salvatore Ivan Italiano].
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Thomas J Wilford
left a message on January 11, 2023:
Our Friendship began at the 440th Air Wing in 1969. We were young, "green", 2nd Lieutenants and ready to start Air Force and Business careers. Our friendship survived to this date despite geographic separation. With thanks for the efforts of our 1st Sargeant, Jim Kroening, we were Blessed with a reunion this past summer. My condolences to Vince's family and praise for his service to God and Country.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Julie (Agnew) Wu
left a message on January 18, 2023:
My deepest sympathy to the family. Vince and I were good friends during the early 1980s in The Vagabond Ski Club. REST IN PEACE, VINCE.~~Julie (Agnew) Wu
Candace Dietz
left a message on January 16, 2023:
I am so sad for the family. Your loss is huge. But what a wonderful, rich life he had with you and because of you.
I knew Vince when was in early years at Marquette U. A fun person. We were at Vince and Phyllis beautiful wedding. We will miss him forever. ❤️Candace Dietz
Karyn Kraft
left a message on January 15, 2023:
Phyllis, Katie, Tommy and family,
John and I send our deepest condolences for your loss of your husband and father. We are Keeping you in thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
John and Karyn Kraft
Al Manteuffel
left a message on January 13, 2023:
When I heard that Vince Lo Duca was suddenly gone, I naturally reflected on our 14 years of parallel military service in the 440th Air Wing, of the Air Force Reserve, lately of Milwaukee. Those 14 years are not, by any means, the sum of Vince’s entire military service, but they are the fraction that I know something about. Vince had started at the 440th in 1969, at about the same time as I was commissioned into the Active Duty AF. Based on my prior experience, I can say that the 440th was, without a doubt, the finest AF unit that I ever served in. No small amount of this credit was due to Vince.
I worked for Vince for a couple of years after I joined the Wing in the spring of 1980, and I learned a lot from him. Later he and I were fellow squadron commanders for his last seven years at the 440th. His unusual (for a non-pilot), well-deserved promotion to full Colonel compelled him to find a rank-equivalent slot at FEMA in 1994. Here, also, he excelled.
Vince was highly intelligent, with an active curiosity and an ability to quickly grasp the essence of a problem. This, and being a good manager, enabled Vince to successfully master no less than three significantly different Air Force career fields at increasing levels of responsibility during the time I knew and worked for and with him, namely ‘Parks and Recreation’ 😉 Administration (Chief - MWR), Supply/Logistics Management (MOBSF Commander) and Air Cargo Terminal Operations Management (Aerial Port Squadron Commander). During the Post-Vietnam Cold War period the AF Reserves were held to and measured against the exact same standards as the regular US Air Force. Vince and the units he commanded never failed to measure up to or exceed those high expectations. He was a consummate professional officer and a widely accomplished gentleman in the best traditions of the American Military.
The things he and I and many other Air Force Reserve officers (including his wonderful wife Phyllis) held in common at that time was, *we are not doing this just for the money, but rather we are doing this out of our sense of duty to our country, but also for the occasional adventure and for the camaraderie*. Vince always had a strong sense of duty to America and he was also a splendid comrade, remarkable for his quick wit and lively sense of humor. And, there might have been some (now largely forgotten by me) minor adventures.
As you may read in Vince’s updated obit, he was a man of many accomplishments outside of the Air Force as well. At the time, this kind of high level of dual-track job performance was sort of expected of the better senior officers in the Air Force Reserve such as Vince. In his case, each side informed and reinforced the other, to the benefit of both.
To sum up, Vince was truly remarkable in his personal qualities and for his many accomplishments, both in and out of the Air Force. On the military side, he upheld the very best tradition of the American ‘citizen soldier’. We may not see his like again anytime soon. He surely left the world a better place for his presence.
God’s Blessings. RIP Vince.
Lt Col Allan D Manteuffel, USFR (Ret)
Salvatore Ivan Italiano
left a message on January 12, 2023:
For the rest of the world, you were [Vincent James] “Jim” LoDuca, but to me YOU WILL always BE the only “DON VINCENZO”. You met (me) this Sicilian peasant 15 years ago and your mentorship forged my spirit and mind into that of a REAL MAN – BOY OH BOY! WHAT A MENTOR WAS GIVEN TO ME!!! […] Yes! Don V, thanks to you “I am now in gig line”, and despite the painful “present absence” of your physical guide, your spiritual one is there like the NORTH STAR. In whatever way, I hope to meet you again in the next life. YOUR forever faithful and devoted FRIEND [Salvatore Ivan Italiano].
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Thomas J Wilford
left a message on January 11, 2023:
Our Friendship began at the 440th Air Wing in 1969. We were young, "green", 2nd Lieutenants and ready to start Air Force and Business careers. Our friendship survived to this date despite geographic separation. With thanks for the efforts of our 1st Sargeant, Jim Kroening, we were Blessed with a reunion this past summer. My condolences to Vince's family and praise for his service to God and Country.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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