Robert Vendetto

Chief Petty Officer Robert Alien Vendetto, 73, a retired Navy diver and native of New London, Conn., died of cardiopulmonary disease in Houma on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010.

Fondly known as “Guinea,” Mr. Vendetto served in the military for 23 years. He served aboard the USS Albany, USS Skylark, USS Sunbird, and the USS Lipan.

His last tour was aboard the USS Seawolf (SSN) 575 attached to Submarine Development Group One Detachment Mare Island, Calif. He honorably retired from US Naval service as the Project Manager of the EX-14 and MK-11 Underwater Breathing Apparatus at the Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) in Panama City, Fla. In that position, he was a key team member of a 1,000 feet of sea water experimental saturation dive. He was awarded the coveted “Legion of Merit” for his valiant service to our country.

After his retirement from the Navy in 1979, Mr. Vendetto served as an offshore saturation supervisor at Santa Fe Underwater Services. He later worked in sales at Sonat Subsea, American Oilfield Divers, Stolt Offshore, MADCON, and finally Triton Diving Services.

He is survived by his parents, Michael and Ellen Sullivan Vendetto; mother’s children, Elizabeth Ann Dolan; children, Beth (Mark) Walters, J.R. (Judy), John (Connie) and Joe (Marlana) Vendetto; brother, Wayne Vendetto; sisters, Patricia San Juan, Phyllis Bartelli, Maureen Thompson, Joan Laycock, and Donna Vendetto; and six grandchildren, Joei Michelle Vendetto, Tyler Walters, Hannah Walters, Destin Vendetto, Bre’ Vendetto and Vincenza Vendetto; and companion, Maureen Bodron, dear friend, Frank Mantel, military shipmates, and his civilian family.

He is buried at St. Francis de Sales Cemetery No. 2.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Mark V. Monument Project, 3830 Patrick Road, Southport, Fla. 32409 or, online, at www.markvmonument.org are appreciated.