Norbert F. Vinatieri

Sixty-four years ago, Norbert Vinatieri moved to Whittier and his influence is still felt in a number of areas, including the Plymouth Church, by local Republicans and the city itself.



Vinatieri, who is the father of City Councilman Joe Vinatieri, died Tuesday. He was 82.



A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Plymouth Church 12058 E. Beverly Blvd., Whittier.



Memorial contributions may be given to his favorite mission project: Plymouth Congregational Church Mongolia Mission fund.



He was a dynamic person and very dedicated, said Selma Minerd of Whittier, whose best friend was Vinatieris late wife, Cathy, who died in 2005.



He did things for the city and was a God-loving man, Minerd said. He was devoted to his church. He also was very active in the Republican Party.



Born in South Dakota his grandfather was the band master of Gen. George Armstrong Custers 7th Calvary Band Vinatieri received a degree in metallurgical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1943, according to his son, Joe.



Later, he was commissioned a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific.



He met his wife at a USO dance in Hollywood in 1944 and they were married in 1946.



They opted to remain in Southern California, initially living on a small farm in South San Gabriel, according to his son. They moved to Whittier in 1950.



He soon became active in the city, helping his wife with Republican Party activities, helping found the Central East Whittier Homeowners Association and joined the Plymouth Congregational Church.



He was part of the great revival that came to Plymouth in the 1970s, said the Rev. Dan Pryor, its current pastor.



At the time, Plymouth was part of a more liberal denomination but Vinatieri and some others were unhappy, Pryor said. They discovered a more conservative group, in particular the Lake Avenue Church of Pasadena.



They started the evangelical movement of Plymouth, he said.



Pryor described Vinatieri as a beloved figure. He was intense, purposeful, and direct, he said. He had a passion for Whittier and a passion for people. He wanted the best for our community.



Vinatieri also was influential in helping planning for Whittier after the 1989 earthquake, said Planning Commissioner Wes Murray.



Vinatieri used to go to the commission meetings and speak during the public comment period, said Murray who was on the commission then too.



At the time, the citys general plan and zoning ordinance were in conflict with the existing developments, Murray said.



People like Norb would say, We need to think about whats going on, he said. We need to look to the future. The way he presented allowed us to discuss and consider alternatives to what was going on.



Vinatieri worked for several metallurgical companies and was involved in assessing metal fatigue of the Saturn 5 rocket engine that launched the Apollo missions to the moon, according to his son.



He is survived by sons Joe and his wife, Sandy, of Whittier, Gary and his wife, Nikki of Upland, and Ted and his wife Genean of Fredericksburg of Virginia; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.