Remembering Vincent 'Vin' Sarni
Well-known as a highly respected leader, Vincent “Vin” Sarni used his time and talents to bolster the success of all those around him.
After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and serving with Olin Corp for 12 years, he joined PPG Industries Inc. in 1968 as Marketing Vice President of the former Industrial Chemicals Department. Vincent was elected the business unit’s Vice President and General Manager in 1969. He became Vice President and general manager of the former Chemicals Division in 1975; Group Vice President, chemicals, in 1977; Corporate Senior Vice President in 1980; Vice Chairman in January 1984, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in November 1984.
He worked at PPG Industries, Inc. for 25 years until his retirement in 1993.
Vincent served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Juniata College from 1979 to 1997 and received an honorary degree in 1979.
He was the former Chairman of the Board of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Allegheny General Hospital, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Pittsburgh Opera, and the National Organization for the Disabled. He also served on the Board of Carnegie Mellon University and was a founding Director of the Extra Mile Education Foundation.
Many institutions were beneficiaries of his generosity. During his time as Chairman of the Board for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was a member of the business group which worked diligently to keep the Pirates franchise in Pittsburgh.
He will be remembered for his willingness to serve and to lead in all aspects of life, setting an example for all who come after him.
Vincent Anthony “Vin” Sarni, aged 93, of Latrobe, Pa., and Orlando, Fla., passed away on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, in Orlando, Fla., with his wife by his side.
Born on July 11, 1928, in Bayonne, N.J., and reared in Cranston, R.I., he was the son of Alfred and Louisa Sarni. He was first united in marriage to the former Dorothy Bellavance, who preceded him in death in 2008. He later married the former Sandy Palmer, who survives.
Vincent was a devoted father to his children, Louise Degrass of Matunuck, R.I., Karen Driscoll and her husband, Stephen, of Nokomis, Fla., and Vincent A. Sarni, Jr. ’78 and his wife, Deborah, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and a devoted stepfather to Jennifer Jackman and her husband, Dick. He was the beloved grandfather of 12 grandchildren, Derek, Daniel, Stacia, Stephen, Michaela, Katelyn, Tony, Megan, Patrick, Christopher, Hannah, and Julia.
He was the brother of the late Lawrence V. and Mary (Moran) Sarni of Mystic, Conn., and the late Dr. Robert P. and Janice Sarni of East Greenwich, R.I.
Vincent was a 1945 graduate of Classical High School of Providence, R.I., and a 1949 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a degree in business. He completed graduate studies in marketing at New York University Graduate School of Business and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
Vincent was a successful leader at PPG Industries, Inc., where he worked for 25 years. He began as marketing vice president in the Industrial Chemicals Department and advanced to become chairman and CEO of PPG’s entire international operation. In addition to PPG, he was a former director of Amtrol, Brockway Inc., Hershey Corp., Honeywell Corp., LTV Inc., Mellon Bank, Mueller Group, Noveon, and PNC Financial.
Educational institutions that benefited from his philanthropy were Penn State University, the University of Rhode Island, Juniata College, Saint Vincent College, the Saint Benedict Education Foundation, and the Extra Mile Education Foundation. He was honored at the White House by three U.S. presidents: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. He also received honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Rhode Island, Juniata College, Robert Morris University, and the New England Institute of Technology.