Vincent Henry Catala was born on September 30th, 1934, to Rose Marie Catala in Key West, Fl. He was born at a midwife's house on the 900 block of Division Street which is now called Truman Avenue.   He grew up in a household with three uncles, an aunt and his grandparents.  He lived without refrigeration and his diet consisted of seafood, chicken, rabbit and home-grown vegetables.

His family migrated to Key West in the 1840 to 1850 time frame. Growing up in Key West in the 1930's was so different from the Key West of today. As a kid he delivered the Citizen, around town and he also delivered fresh milk from the dairy. He lived in several places in Key West including Elizabeth Street, Margaret Street and Virginia Street. He often said when the bell at the fire station rang in the evenings, that you had better get home.

He attended Saint Joseph's Catholic elementary school and then went on to Key West High School. He was a member of the first Key West High School state championship baseball team in 1953. Out of high school, he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers, which are now the New York Yankees. He played short stop and competed against Pee Wee Reese, who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. After trying out, he signed a contract with Dodgers farm team in Cocoa Beach. Dring this period, he played professional baseball in Cuba against the Cuban National baseball team. He played against Fidel Castro.

He left the Dodgers farm team and moved back to Key West and joined the Key West Police Department in 1954. He worked there for several months but was too young to be an officer so he quit and rejoined the Department when he was old enough. He rejoined the KWPD in 1955 and was then drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He was in the 3rd Infantry Division. By having a law enforcement background, he was assigned to the Military Police in Germany. He was later assigned to the security detail for Elvis Presley.

After returning to Key West, he rejoined the KWPD. He worked there until he retired in 1987 giving 32 years of service to the community. He worked his way up the ranks from Patrolman to Sergeant to Lieutenant to Captain to Deputy Chief and was named interim Chief.

After his retirement in 1987, he went to work for the Sheriff's Office as a bailiff in 1989 and worked there until 1999. The reason he left was to take care of his baby granddaughter and the new apple of his eye, Jordan Rose. He took care of her until she started pre-school. He rejoined the Sheriff's Office and became the school crossing guard supervisor. He worked for a total of 55 years in law enforcement in Key West.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Marie "Catala" Uzelac, his stepfather Eli Uzelac, his first wife Margaret "Peggy" Catala, his second wife Pamala Catala. He is survived by his son Donald Catala, his daughter in law Christine Catala and the love of his life his granddaughter Jordan Rose Catala.

Services will be at Dean Lopez Funeral home this Saturday.