Vincent C. Wilson

Avid Antique Phone Collector

Vincent Charles Wilson, 85, of Millsboro, DE died peacefully at home on October 1, 2026.

He was born in Darby, PA on October 30, 1940, to Joseph and Mildred Wilson. He was schooled by the Augustinians before attending Drexel University to study engineering.

Vince was preceded in death by his sister, Pat, brother, Joe, sister-in-law, Carol and brothers-in-law, Don and Joe. Vince is survived by his wife of 25 years, Janet, his sister, Marie, his children Bridget, Kevin (Cinnamon) and Michael, his stepsons Andrew (Hanna), Jeffrey, Matthew (Noelle), and his grandchildren Devin, Michael, Shane (Jan), Brette (Will), Sean, Drew, Claire and Adam.

Vince began his career at Boeing but when it became apparent multiple moves might be required to advance, he began a career at AT&T to maintain a stable home for his family. That career spanned 32 years where he worked in many departments as he advanced. His last move before retirement from AT&T was to the International department where as Deputy Director, International Cable Planning, Americas Region, he planned and installed fiber optic cable throughout the Caribbean and South America. Vince particularly enjoyed helping some of the smaller countries connect with each other thereby enabling them to advance economically. He always felt that someone needed the tough duty of working in the southern hemisphere in the middle of winter.

Vince and his siblings also owned and operated ELF, a successful daycare center, for 30 years. This not only provided exceptional daycare for area children but employment opportunities for several of his nieces.

As a member of the Antique Telephone Collectors of America (ATCA), Vince realized his passion of antique telephone collecting and he accumulated a rare collection of vintage American pay phones, wall phones and candlesticks that threatened to take over the house. Vince was also known as an expert throughout the telephone collector community and was frequently called upon with questions, or to evaluate other phones. His passion included travelling throughout a large part of the country to attend various phone shows where phones and parts were bought and sold. He enjoyed the camaraderie of hanging out with other collectors at these events and maintained contact with many of them throughout his life. Part of his expertise also included restoring old phones to their original condition and Vince did this with a meticulous attention to detail.

Vince and Janet retired to Delaware full time in January of 2012. They found life in a retirement community brought many advantages and the enjoyment of meeting new friends. Vince will be remembered as a man with a strong moral compass who positively impacted the lives of family and his many friends.

Funeral arrangements are private.