Jamul, Calif.—Vincent N. Pompo, tile & stone industry veteran, passed away in his sleep on July 14, 2020, his son Donato Pompo announced. He was 93 years old.
Pompo was born in Los Angeles, Calif. to Italian immigrant parents from Naples and Pescara Italy. He grew up in a tough neighborhood and persevered to become a successful businessman. He was one of the founders of the Ceramic Tile Distribution Association (CTDA), and the third CTDA president. He was also inducted into the CTDA Hall of Fame.
Pompo started his career in the tile business unloading box cars at Gladding McBean, the manufacturer of Franciscan tile and dinnerware. He worked his way up from the warehouse to sales manager. In 1975, he started Southwestern Tile & Marble Company in San Diego, Calif., which became one of the largest and most successful importers and distributors in the industry at that time.
Pompo was a proud World War II Navy Veteran who was assigned to the USS Plunkett DD431 Destroyer during his tour protecting the troops. He was also a big hunter, and would go to Steamboat Springs, Colo., to hunt Elk every year with his friend and fellow distributor, Dick Sokol. He traveled to Alaska a number of times where he hunted Carabou, Bear and other game. He was also a big fisherman, fishing for salmon, tuna and marlin.
He was always a big supporter of the tile industry and stayed very involved in growing the industry in many ways. “He will be missed, but he will be remembered for his accomplishments and his devotion to his family,” Donato Pompo said.
Pompo is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Tricia and their two sons, by his daughter Lesah Mutscheller and her two children and two grandchildren, and by his daughter Linda Perrenoud and her four children and her 10 grandchildren.
Due to the coronavirus, the memorial will be postponed to a future date to be determined, although his family is and will continue to celebrate his life.