Vincent “Vinny” Penna, 51, Retired Deputy Chief of Westport Police, Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 36
The Westport Police Department’s American flag was at half-staff and memorial bunting was placed over the main doorway in memory of Deputy Police Chief Vincent “Vinny” Penna on Friday afternoon.
The Penna family announced the unexpected death of Husband, Father, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Retired Deputy Police Chief Vincent “Vinny” Penna.
The Penna Family announced yesterday that Vinny Penna passed away Friday at the age of 51. His obituary describes a man who loved his family, his friends, his work, the outdoors, and helping others.
Penna was born on October 2nd, 1969 and grew up in Westport - where he continued to raise his own family, and continued to support his community in any way that he could - most notably serving as Deputy Chief of the Westport Police department.
Starting as a Traffic Agent in 1991, he retired as Westport Police Department’s second-in-command in 2017 after a celebrated career - including being in command of the Detective Bureau as it helped solve the case of a 2011 homicide on Post Road East. According to a past WPD press release “Deputy Chief Penna, like all Westport officers, started his career assigned to patrol. He moved up through the ranks gaining promotions to detective in 2001 and sergeant in 2006. In 2009, Penna returned to the detective bureau, which he commanded as a lieutenant and captain until his promotion to deputy chief in 2016.”
Penna retired from his Westport Police Department position in late 2017 to join his father, Vincent John Penna, as a partner in their family business: A.J. Penna & Sons construction company. He was briefly hired as a Wilton police officer in 2018, which he eventually left to be with the family business full-time.
In addition to helping lead A.J. Penna & Sons, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Westport’s Boy Scouts of America Troop 36. According to the Troop’s social media statement, “ASM Penna was still new to Scouting but loved the program and what it provides for our youth. He was dedicated, inquisitive, and compassionate.”
He is survived by his wife Denise, his sons Vincent Angelo, 14, and Nicholas Anthony, 15, and many family members and friends.
According to the obituary, “A Mass of Christian Burial at Assumption Church will be private due to Covid-19 restrictions. Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service on Tuesday December 22, 2020 at 11:30AM meeting directly at Assumption Cemetery 73 Greens Farms Road in Westport, CT. We ask that everyone please observe strict social distancing at the cemetery.”
Please click here for the full obituary.
Editor’s Note
As an EMT with the Westport Police Department’s division of Emergency Medical Service, I had the privilege of serving under Deputy Chief Penna - who was the Director of the Westport EMS division prior to his retirement. Vinny was the person who “went to bat” for those who needed help, and was known for his humor and genuine personality. He was respected by all, loved by all, and will be missed by all. My heart sits with his family and friends as the community mourns this loss.
Jaime B.
UPDATE 12/20:
The Penna Family shares this updated information regarding the funeral mass that will be held on Tuesday morning for Vincent Joseph Penna, 51, retired Westport Deputy Police Chief.
Funeral Mass will have a Video Livestream through Assumption Church Website:
The funeral mass will be live-streamed on the Assumption Church website, assumptionwestport.org. The mass will begin on Tuesday, December 22nd at 10:00 AM.
The livestream video will begin playing ten minutes early at 9:50 AM. All members of the public are welcome to view the online mass from their computer or mobile device.
Donation in Memory of Vinny:
Donations in memory of Vinny can be made to: Westport Scouts BSA Troop 36 - the troop that Vinny served as Assistant Scoutmaster.
Check: Made out to “Troop 36” - Mailed to: Troop 36, Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East, Westport, CT, 06880
Online: Click on this link paypal.me/BSATroop36CT
Vincent “Vinny” Penna Jr. prior to his retirement as Westport’s Deputy Police Chief
Photo: 2017 Westport Police Department Press Release.
As Deputy Chief, Penna (2nd from left) was in command of the Emergency Medical Service division, and is shown here with members of Westport EMS at a 2016 awards ceremony. Photo: Westport News
An avid outdoorsman - Penna recently purchased a boat and enjoyed spending time on it with his family.
Photo: Harding Funeral Home
Penna, left, in a photo supporting the 2016 Westport for Warriors weekend with fellow members of the Westport PD. Photo: Town of Westport