Vincent John Lia, beloved brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2014. He was born in Bellevue, New York, and moved to The Villages in 1989. He was retired from Fairchild Republic. Vinnie entered military service in June 1942. He served in the Mediterranean Theater as a 2nd Lieutenant Bombardier/Navigator in the 15th Air Force 459th Bomb Group, 757th Bomb Squadron. He flew 39 combat missions in a B-24 Bomber from Foggia, Italy, to Yugoslavia, Italy, France, Austria, Hungary, and Germany, among them raids to the Ploesti Oil Fields and tactical missions in support of the 5th Army Rome Offensive. He was shot down on the last mission to Munich, Germany. He was awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the American Theater Campaign Medal, and the Victors Medal. On his return to the U.S., he volunteered for training on B-29 bombers for possible assignment to the Pacific Theater of Operations when the war ended. He attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Vinnie was preceded in death by his parents, Sara (Santarpia) Lia and Luigi Lia, his wife Kathleen, his wife Ruth, and his brother Frank. Vinnie is survived by his loving children: Jim (Patrice) Lia of Naperville, IL, Maureen (Rich) Moran of St. James, NY, Bill (Barbara) Lia of Wilmington, NC, Susan Lia McCoy of Coram, NY, and Kathy (Paul) Cavenaugh of Wilmington, NC. Memorial donations in Vinnie’s name may be made to American Legion Post 347, Lady Lake FL. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, from 1:00 to 3:00 followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 at Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Lady Lake FL