Vincent Taravella

Vincent Taravella, age 77, passed away peacefully in his home of Harvey, Louisiana on the morning of Friday, December 2nd, 2022. He was born August 14, 1945, in Sicily, Italy to Mariano Taravella and Concetta Purpura. Vincent married his high school sweetheart, Jane Talamo, in June of 1966, and together they enjoyed 56 years of a loyal, faithful, and prosperous marriage that resulted in three children and 11 grandchildren. Vincent had a tenacity to do anything he set his mind to. After immigrating to the United States at the age of 11, he quickly learned the English language. He earned his first job at the age of 13, met his future wife at the age of 16, and owned his first business, a grocery store, by the age of 19. He was an incredibly successful business man, spending 17 years with the company Frito Lay, and also going on to start his own business in the 80s— Video Plus. Video Plus was one of his proudest accomplishments where his two best qualities shined on a daily basis: his business acumen and his ability to interact with people in a kind and loving manner. Later in life, he was a real estate agent and landlord for many on the Westbank and in the New Orleans area. Vincent’s proudest accomplishment came by way of his three children and the subsequent 11 grandchildren they produced. Being their “PaPa” is when he felt the most pride in his life, despite all of his many accomplishments. At birth, he would bestow a “word” to each grandchild. When greeted by him, they were all expected to return the greeting with the unique adjective he gave them such as outstanding, terrific, or fabulous.
Vincent is predeceased by his father and mother, Mariano Taravella and Concetta Purpura Taravella, and four of his siblings— Lucia, Mattea, Salvatrice, and Giovanni. He is survived by his wife, Jane Talamo Taravella, and his three children Gina Taravella Lutz, Lisa Taravella Heck, and Anthony Taravella— as well his son-in-law Keith Lutz and daughter-in-law Beth Bono Taravella. He is also survived by his five granddaughters— Janie Heck, Emily Heck, Dana Heck, Jacey Thiel (Heath), and Camryn Taravella— and his six grandsons — Logan Taravella, Brenden Taravella, Joel Lutz (Abigayle), Jude Lutz, Jacob Lutz, and Jayden Lutz. Vincent is also survived by his brother Giuseppe (Joe) Taravella, and sister Mary Taravella Denham, as well as his three godchildren Pietro (Peter) Montagino, Christy Kareokosky, and Chad Dauzat.
Please join us to celebrate his life this Wednesday at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 7040 Lapalco Blvd, in Marrero. Visitation is from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm with a Mass to follow. Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Gretna, Louisiana. Family and friends may offer condolences at mothefunerals.com