Surrounded by his family, Chief Petty Officer Robert Allen Vendetto, a retired Navy diver, lost his courageous battle with cardiopulmonary disease Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in Houma, La. Bob, fondly known as "Guinea" among his military brothers, served our country with pride and honor for 23 years. Throughout his years of military service, he spent time aboard the following Navy vessels: USS Albany, USS Skylark, USS Sunbird and the USS Lipan. While stationed in San Diego, Bob was a diving instructor at the 2nd Class Diving School. Following this duty, Bob served in Vietnam with the Harbor Clearance Unit One. Bob's last tour at sea was aboard the USS Seawolf (SSN) 575 attached to Submarine Development Group One Detachment Mare Island, Calif. He honorably retired from

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, Bob cherished his time as an Offshore Saturation Supervisor at Santa Fe Underwater Services. Later, he plunged into the world of sales with Santa Fe. Being a natural born salesman, his charismatic personality brought him success at Sonat Subsea, American Oilfield Divers, Stolt Offshore, MADCON, and finally Triton Diving Services.

Chief Vendetto was born in New London, Conn. on Sept. 4, 1936 to Ellen Sullivan Vendetto and Michael Vendetto. He was a graduate of New London High School, Class of 1955.

He was the proud father of Beth Vendetto Walters (Mark) of Winter Springs, Fla., JR Vendetto (Judy Moore) of Baton Rouge, LA, John Vendetta (Connie Bergeron)of Houma, LA, and Joe Vendetto (Mariana Soard)of Houma, LA. His grandchildren will miss their Papa: Joel Michelle Vendetto, Tyler Walters, Hannah Walters, Destin Vendetto, Bre' Vendetto, and Vincenza Vendetto. He is also survived by the mother of his children and caregiver, Elizabeth Ann Dolan. He leaves behind his brother Wayne Vendetto and sisters Patricia San Juan, Phyllis Bartelli, Maureen Thompson, Joan Laycock, and Donna Vendetto. He will be sadly missed by his companion Maureen Bodron, dear friend Frank Mantell, military shipmates, and his civilian family. The funeral and burial were be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 28/29, 2010, at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales. A receptions for relatives and friends was held at the Ramada Inn following both services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Mark V Monument Project, 3830 Patrick Road, Southport, FL 32409 or on-line in Bob's name at www.markvmonumentproject@comcast.net. A Celebration of Life will be held during the summer in New London, Conn. The Mark Five Monument Project has presented the Vendetto Family with statuette serial # 089-300 .

The following people made donations to the Mark V Monument Project in honor of “Guinea”.

Other people who made donations to the Mark V Monument Project:

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