Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Riverdale Country School

FUNERAL HOME

Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel

1076 Madison Ave

New York City, New York

GANDOLFO DIBLASI Obituary

DIBLASI--Gandolfo V.

Gandolfo Vincent DiBlasi died on January 14, 2018 at the age of 64 as a result of complications from pneumonia. Vince leaves his wife Roberta, son Richard and his wife Kristen, son William and his fiancee Kristina, brother Rudolph, nephews Christopher and Matthew, nieces Jennifer and Olivia, and a battalion of dear friends and esteemed colleagues across our city and country. He was predeceased by his beloved parents Rudolph and Theresa and elder brother Joseph. Vince was born in Brooklyn in 1953, graduated from Brooklyn Prep, Yale College and Yale Law School, and then joined Sullivan & Cromwell in 1978. He practiced law there for over 30 years as a partner in the firm's Litigation Group and a member of its management committee. Vince was not only a multitalented star at each stop, but a beloved star. He stood at the top of his class at every school he attended, and was one of the finest practitioners S&C has seen in its 138 years. Vince was a lawyer's lawyer in the best sense of the word, representing and advising the firm's clients on a broad spectrum of contested and transactional matters in areas ranging from takeover law to securities law, antitrust law, commercial law and white collar criminal law -- always involving matters that were particularly challenging and urgent, and among the most celebrated of the day. Vince served the legal and broader community as well, including as a director of The Legal Aid Society, trustee of the Federal Bar Council, trustee of the Riverdale Country School, and director of Asphalt Green. He was the recipient of the Simon E. Baldwin Award of Yale Law School and the Simon H. Rifkind Award of the Jewish Theological Seminary, among other recognitions. Countless lawyers owe so much to Vince for the time he took introducing them not only to legal practice and the firm but also to New York, which he knew and knew how to enjoy like few others. Vince had a heart big enough for everyone, but a special warmth in that heart for Robi and their family, whom he loved dearly and devoted his life and every energy to. For friends and colleagues, nothing brightened a day like a phone call that began, "Hey, it's Vince, let's get together." Those calls and get-togethers will be missed by many, many people. The funeral will be private with a memorial service to follow in the coming weeks. For those so inclined, contributions in Vince's memory to The Independent Group Home Living Foundation (221 North Service Rd, Manorville, NY 11419; www.ighl.org) would be warmly welcomed.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Jan. 17, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for GANDOLFO DIBLASI

17 Entries

Mary Giaquinto

February 17, 2018

What a loss... To his family our deep regret on hearing this news.

Neil Ellis

January 29, 2018

Like Sandra Mullings, I was in the 1L small group at YLS where Vince was the TA. He was wonderful -- thoughtful and humorous, talented and lively -- a great introduction to the study of law. He will be missed.

January 26, 2018

Rest in Peace, Vince.

Germaine Corprew

January 25, 2018

One of the best people I have ever met.

Andrew Bridges

January 23, 2018

Vince, as an associate at S&C, mentored me as a summer associate in 1983. I never forgot his brilliance, humor, and collegiality, which I valued, and I am sorry to learn about his passing. My condolences to his family and colleagues.

Deborah Lynch

January 22, 2018

I have just received word of Vince's death & I am so dearly sorry for Robbie & his wonderful sons. We all lived at 200 East End and had our Golden Retievers, Labs and more canines that were part of our households and friendship. I used to share car services with Vince because in the mornings taxis were tight especially at East End early morning. We used to banter politics and all kinds of interesting news! I love Robbie and watched the boys grow up! I am so sorry but I wish all blessings to Robbie and the family!

Art LiPani

January 22, 2018

Sixty years of friendship isn't enough.
I miss you Vin.
Hope we all meet again.

Richard Sotell

January 22, 2018

I met Vince over 50 years ago at Brooklyn Prep. He was a combination of wit, intelligence and enthusiasm that I have rarely seen since that time. His talents were wide ranging. A great debater in High School, he was also a leader on the Math Team that won many Citywide competitions. He was also a starter on our classes Intramural Teams in almost every sport. I recently played golf on Nantucket with a friend of Vince's who spoke highly about his charitable deeds. Robbie, Richard and William-my sincere condolences. A mass will be said in Boston for the repose of his soul. A great man!

Lou Maione

January 21, 2018

I met Vince in 1983 or 1984. We both started practicing a few years earlier in 1978 and we were both happy to meet another Italian_American attorney, especially another guy from the city.
The partner on the case we were working on, George Kern, one day said he thought Vince was "pretty smart." I knew he was, and a terrific guy on top of it. After that case, we only met a few times here and there over the years but he was always great to run into and an even greater asset to the legal community of New York. It is sad to hear that he's gone.

Brad Karp

January 19, 2018

Vince is someone I have looked up to my entire career. We were co-counsel on many cases over the decades, and I learned so much from each experience. Vince was generous and thoughtful, brilliant and funny, caring and compassionate. We later served as trustees together on the Riverdale Country School board for many years. It was in that context that I saw the depth of Vince's character and his love of family and his commitment to the community. Vince touched so many and he will be missed terribly.

Sandra Mullings

January 18, 2018

Vinnie was the TA for our small group in my first year at Yale Law School. He was smart, funny and kind. My deepest sympathies to his family.

January 18, 2018

Our sincerest sympathies to Roberta, Vince's sons and the other members of the DiBlasi family.

Lance and Jill Myers

Reynold Verret

January 17, 2018

Sincere condolences prayers and warm memories BP'72

January 17, 2018

To his wife and childrens. My condolence. May our heavenly father bring comfort and peace to you. Psalms 9,9

Thomas Ryan

January 17, 2018

Vinnie was the smartest guy I have ever known. He was the best in our class at Prep. I admired him.
Tom Ryan, MD

Jeff Steinberg

January 17, 2018

Vince defended ME in a white collar matter before the SEC in the late 1990s, and we spent many months working together, both at S&C in NY and in hotels and lawyer offices in Washington DC. Vince was simply the smartest, most creative, most clever person I have ever met. Observing him cross-examine witnesses was the most amazing part of my unpleasant exercise. Thanks to Vince, I was acquitted in the SEC's own courtroom by an SEC judge. To me, Vince is someone I will miss dearly and will always hold in the highest possible regard. He was so funny and meeting him was an honor for me. My deepest condolences to his family, and please know how much so many people loved and respected your husband/dad/uncle. I am at the top of that list somewhere.

January 17, 2018

For the many who loved Gandolfo...my deepest condolences. May we look forward to the time when we can see our loved ones again. ACT.34:15

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results