Obituary of Vincent Joseph Clerkin

Vincent Joseph Clerkin, born on July 1, 1938, peacefully left this world on July 12, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida in his beloved wife Oona Conroy Clerkin’s embrace. He was a longtime resident of Naples, FL.

Vincent was the first Clerkin born in the United States. His father, Patrick J. Clerkin, was from Glasgow Scotland, and his mother, Anna Mary née O’Donovon, hailed from Clonakilty, County Cork Ireland. As a native New Yorker, Vincent was raised in Good Shepherd Parish in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood in New York City. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1960 and embarked on a successful sales career. Vincent and his sister Patricia shared an incredibly close bond. There were frequent family visits to the Casciato family where he was known as “Uncle Vinny’ and occasionally even “the King.”

After moving to Naples, Florida, Vincent met and fell in love with Oona Mary Conroy in 2001, marrying her on December 17, 2004.

Though a largely self-taught artist, throughout the years Vincent always had an abiding love of painting and drawing. He managed to couple this passion for things artistic with another major interest, that of travel. Frequent trips to Europe, especially Ireland and Italy with his lovely wife Oona, resulted in a veritable warehouse of memories from which Vincent drew inspiration.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Oona Conroy, his beloved step-daughter, Elizabeth Weeks, his devoted sister Patricia Casciato, and many nieces and nephews.

Vincent will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, his wise counsel, his mentorship to others, and his huge artistic talent. He was a terrific storyteller and his fine singing voice was much appreciated at family gatherings.

A Memorial Service will be held at St John Vianney Catholic Church in St Pete Beach, Florida at 1.30 pm, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, which will also be live-streamed through the church’s website. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Vincent’s memory to Suncoast Hospice at suncoasthospice.org.