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Bean
Still Hangin' At The Mailbox
USA
Status: offline |
 Posted - April 24 2006 : 10:55:11 AM
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>>> Karen Zang 04/24/06 9:18 AM >>>
On Earth Day, the generous heart of Vincent Charles Iannello, beloved friend and gentlest of giants, stopped beating, after 52½ years.
He will be waked tomorrow, Tuesday, April 25, at Franklin Funeral Home (516-775-9491) 42 New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Square - just north of Hempstead Turnpike - from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday morning, the time and place still to be confirmed.
We wish Vince eternal rest in Peace, Love and Understanding.
....Now he belongs to the ages
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bigcity
Still A Babe
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - April 27 2006 : 11:48:04 AM
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I often think about of you all with fond memories... the older I get and the more people I meet, I realize what kind and special people you all were back in the days.... and when I read your past postings I know that you all still are special people....
Vince was a person I could never get off my mind when I thought about Valley Stream... driving in his car in various states of consciousness or unconciousness (I think it was a white Pontiac Tempest?)... Though I have not stayed in touch, I will miss him as if I just spoke to him yesterday...
My thoughts are with you all.
Gary Lanvy
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Gary Lanvy
Big City Productions
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JeffreyZ
Still A Babe
Status: offline |
Posted - April 29 2006 : 3:17:37 PM
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Hello Dear Friends:
Indeed ... Jerry just sent me the note from Karen... I think Gary expressed exactly what I am feeling ... Although it has been so many years now ... it feels like yesterday. Vinny's bright smile and sparkling eyes ... his generosity in spirit and kindness ... A huge loss to us all ...
Makes all of you even more precious ... that we all cary on with so many shared memories ... in different parts of the world ... but joined in our universal love and compassion.
My heart, mind and thoughts are with you all and with Vince and his family.
Much Love, JeffreyZ |
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doc
Into the 60's
Status: offline |
Posted - April 30 2006 : 12:43:18 PM
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The funeral home was packed both day and night. Even though it was not posted in any newspaper, the news was circulated and folks came from miles around NY. Don Steinert and John DeGrace came to pay their respects because Vince had such an impact on them 40+ years ago in VFW little league. No one could hit a home run as far as Vince and everyone knew him or knew of him. There was also discussion about the one and only time in his life he lost his temper... in defense of his pal Neil. Vinny always made us smile and never left without saying "I love you".
We will truly miss our Big Vince and he will remain in our hearts always.
Anyone have any Vince stories they would like to post? |
Edited by - doc on April 30 2006 12:44:02 PM |
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Bean
Still Hangin' At The Mailbox
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - May 01 2006 : 12:40:13 AM
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EULOGY FOR VINCE ( written and given by Karen Zang )
April 26, 2006
I last saw Vince at Tonis and Sharon's three weeks ago, the first Sunday of the
year nice enough to sit outside. A few days later, Vince sent out an email that
closed with: "I love you all so much always remember that. Vince."
It's beautiful but it breaks my heart that he felt a need to write that line,
because if there's anything every person here knows, it's how much he loved us.
And I hope he knows how much everybody loves him. Haven't we all come across
people who have just met Vince and seem genuinely shocked to find someone who is
that nice? Can you name a person sweeter than Vince? More loving than Vince?
We have had the privilege of sharing our lives with one of the kindest human
beings EVER.
But Vince was so much more than a nice guy. Sure, we know he was a Kinks fan,
an avid photographer, a steady bass player, an open-minded music lover, a
trusted designated driver, a smooth dancer, a sports trivia powerhouse, and,
yes, an enthusiastic and creative food lover*but what he loved most was his
family. I love to remember Sobro Avenue in the early '70s, with Mrs. Iannello
and Phylissann holding court at the kitchen table, Gracelyn, dressed as the
epitome of disco, and Vince's room, where the ideals of the sixties were
embraced in clouds of smoke with great music. There were great times in that
house*except of course when Mrs. Iannello yelled at me for lighting a sparkler
to Pink Floyd in Vince's room! How we all loved that family! They were so much
fun. Think of every Iannello laughing. Picture Mrs. Iannello. Picture Vince.
Think of him smiling, think of him laughing, or - best of all - shaking with
hysterics! Look at Gracelyn and Phyllis and know that we will laugh with them
again.
Vince adored his family, with so much love for his sisters, Lenny, Aunt Betty,
and those seven little nephews, with whom he was so close. He was very proud of
those boys and so happy that they have evolved into treasured friends.
Friends meant so much to Vince, and so many count Vince to be among the greatest
friends of their lives. I can remember the actual moment I met Vince: I was
introduced to him, Foch and Frank on the lawn of Memorial 36 years ago. They
grew up with the mailbox gang - a number of whom are here today; it's amazing
that just a few families in those few blocks in the west end of Valley Stream
produced all those friends!
I have shared 35 years of friendship with Vince, which include some pretty
legendary chapters. We could all write a book about Vince's adventures, and
hopefully someone will, but for now I'd like to thank him for the experience of
the cross-country trip in 1976*wouldn't that make a great a mini-series! I want
to remember all the good times in the house on Merrick Road, all the bands we
played in, all the drives we've taken, all the concerts we saw*and all the
minutes of all those years.
We cannot pretend that Vince didn't have some rough times in his life, but if
you picture him shaking with hysterical laughter, you know there was joy to
outweigh any pain.
I can clearly hear Mrs. Iannello's soft husky voice as she sang "Someone to
Watch Over Me" as I played piano. We can think of just those words now with new
significance. You know that the greatest, the nicest, the kindest, the sweetest
man who ever walked the earth, was our friend, our brother, our nephew, our
uncle, our cousin*and he's the someone up there watching over all of us.
Vince, forever you will shine on like the moon and the stars and the sun. I
love you.
Karen Zang
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Edited by - Bean on May 01 2006 12:40:52 AM |
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Bean
Still Hangin' At The Mailbox
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - May 01 2006 : 12:45:01 AM
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Anyone wishing to email Vince's sister Gracelyn here's her email address...
gracelyn10@aol.com
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Bean
Still Hangin' At The Mailbox
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - May 01 2006 : 01:02:07 AM
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| As far as Vince stories I wouldn't know where to begin there are so many...having known Vince and his entire family from day one when they moved in right next store to me on Sobro Ave around 1959 when we were all about 5 or 6 years old the stories are just too numerous to comprehend at the moment. Maybe in a while I'll get my thoughts together and post some. For now all I can Vince was my 2nd friend that I ever made after Foch and the 3 of us were inseperable for many of the " wonder years " years as they are now referred to. |
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richfed
Into the 60's
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - May 01 2006 : 6:34:57 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by doc
Anyone have any Vince stories they would like to post?
Well, not exactly a story, but ...
Does anyone remember what you were doing on April 23rd, 1971? Vinny, Foch, Doof, Bean, and I were driving down to DC for the Vietnam rally … picking up hitchhikers … almost getting busted on the way. Little did we know that exactly 35 years later, Vince would be gone …
It is weird to remember that for me ... |
Rich
What a long, strange trip it's been! |
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Bean
Still Hangin' At The Mailbox
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - May 02 2006 : 02:24:25 AM
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| Is that when we got stopped in New Jersey by NY State Police and they did a random search of the car? If I remember correctly we had all sorts of drugs in the car under the floor boards in the back of the station wagon under all our gear and stuff and when they searched the car they had their knee pressed right on top of where the drugs were but never found any. |
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doc
Into the 60's
Status: offline |
Posted - June 13 2006 : 5:25:00 PM
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Vinny's ashes were scattered early Saturday morning.
It was perfect morning. At 6:30 AM the sun shined brightly
and there was a brisk breeze blowing from the ocean. A salty mist
blew from the waves and sparkled in the early morning sun.
A group of about 40 friends and family met at Gracelyn's Malabu cabana and walked down an empty beach to the ocean where Gracelyn and one of her sons read some verse. Everyone held hands and recited the "Our Father". Vince's nephew then walked into the freezing ocean and scattered his uncle's ashes. Off to the side, Vinny's empty beach chair sat alone on the beach saluting its owner as family and friends tossed roses into the water.
Everyone then returned to the cabana and shared stories, coffee and breakfast.
We played guitar and sang Beatles songs, a Kinks song, and Don McLean's "Vincent".
A perfect sendoff for a beloved friend. |
Edited by - doc on June 14 2006 07:42:13 AM |
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richfed
Into the 60's
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - June 17 2006 : 10:39:19 AM
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Beautiful & touching photo ... Can anyone help me with the who's who? Might that be Gracelyn & Phyllis holding the big picture of Vince? It's been so long since I've seen either of them! |
Rich
What a long, strange trip it's been! |
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doc
Into the 60's
Status: offline |
Posted - June 17 2006 : 12:30:51 PM
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Yes, Gracelyn & Phyllis are holding the photo. Gracelyn asked that this also be posted:.
"But I could have told you,Vincent, This world was never meant for one as Beautiful as You."
There is a collection being taken up for a bench at the beach, a seat, a place for all of us to sit, to think, to sing song, to laugh, to love, and ponder all the good in this world, all of the good that came from our dear Vince, while looking towards the Ocean of Eternity .
Please send any donation to Vince's Sister:
Gracelyn Beck
1007 Naple Avenue
Franklin Square, New York 11010
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Vince Wake info and note from Karen Zang
