Retired Westport Deputy Police Chief Vincent J. Penna Dies

WESTPORT, CT — Vincent Joseph Penna, a Westport native and retired Westport deputy police chief, died Friday. He was 51.

Penna, known as "Vinny," initially joined the Westport Police Department in 1991 as a traffic agent, and became a full-time police officer in 1994.

He rose up the ranks as a detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain before becoming a deputy chief in 2016.

A graduate of Fairfield Prep and Quinnipiac University, Penna also was an owner and partner at A.J. Penna & Son construction, his family's business.

Penna is survived by his wife, Denise, and sons, Vincent Angelo and Nicholas Anthony.

A Mass of Christian Burial at Assumption Church will be private due to Covid-19 restrictions, according to Harding Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Road, in Westport.

The funeral home asks that attendees "observe strict social distancing at the cemetery."

Also, according to Harding Funeral Home: Condolences for the family may be left online at www.hardingfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers donations in Vinny's honor to Scouts BSA Troop 36 can be made via PayPal atpaypal.me/BSATroop36CT or by mailing a check made out to "Troop 36" to Attn:Troop 36, Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East, Westport CT06880.

Click here to read the full obituary for Vincent Joseph Penna.