Vincent Amodeo Obituary

AMODEO, Vincent Vincent Amodeo of West Hartford, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (October 24, 2006). He was the son of the late Michele and Maria (Abbagnato) Amodeo and was born in Verzino, Italy. He spent his youth in Norwich, then enrolled in the U.S. Navy. He served active duty in World War II and the Korean War as a Chief Pharmacy Mate. Vincent then served as a Naval Recruiter during his peacetime service. After retirement with 20 years in the Navy, he started a career in Human Services with the State of Connecticut. He served as Hartford District Director of the State Department of Social Services and Hartford District Director of the Department of Children and Families. While employed by the State, he earned his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Hartford. Vincent graduated first in his class of 643 students, Summa Cum Laude, achieving the highest grade point average ever recorded for the evening school. He then received a full scholarship to the University of Connecticut School of Social Work where he earned his Master's Degree. After retiring from the State of Connecticut, Vincent went on to earn his Nursing Home Administrator's license and taught at St. Joseph College in the Human Development and Gerontology Departments. He also served as Field Supervisor for undergraduate and graduate students at Southern Connecticut State University, St Joseph College, Eastern Connecticut State University, and UCONN School of Social Work. In 2000, Vincent retired from employment but continued charitable and volunteer work with Meals-on-Wheels, Connecticut Community Care Inc., University of Hartford, Mercyknoll, and UNICO. Throughout his life he was a passionate supporter of education and mentored many students. Vincent enjoyed his Italian heritage, cooking ethnic meals and collecting and appreciating fine wine. He was quite proud of his military service and attended Navy ship reunions throughout his life. He received the Connecticut National Association of Social Workers Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and the Connecticut Community Care Incorporated Successful Aging Award also in 2001. To mourn his passing he leaves "the love of his life" Frances (Zukoski) Amodeo, his wife of 59 years. He also leaves a daughter Mary Briggs and her husband Richard, and a daughter Gloria Kozlowski and her husband John. He was especially proud of his two grandchildren Adam and Allen Briggs. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers: Peter and Frank Amodeo and two sisters: Sarah Damiano and Mary Castro. He was loved for his generosity and compassion. Vincent inspired many with the selfless way he lived his life. Calling hours are Friday, October 27 at 3-5 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. His funeral will be held on Saturday, October 28, at 12 Noon, from the Molloy Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. The family suggest memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice.

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

Published by Hartford Courant on Oct. 26, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Vincent Amodeo

11 Entries

Noreen Washburn

October 30, 2006

To all of Vince's family,
Vince was an amazing person. He lived by his priorities and modeled the goodness in life. Vince had that rare ability of making each person he spoke with feel like the center of the universe.
He will be forever missed.

Mary Alice Wolf

October 28, 2006

The faculty and students of the Institute in Gerontology at Saint Joseph College grieve with the Amodeo family for the loss of our beloved mentor and colleague, Vinnie. He was at the center of our program since 1979, teaching, supervising, "networking," and inspiring our students in their careers working with older adults. He often contacted students who went astray, had graduated, or might need help getting a job. "It's tough out there," he would say. Literally a thousand students passed through his course, "Systems and Networks Supporting Human Development." In turn, tens of thousands of older adults have been positively affected by his teachings. On a personal note, I have lost a hearty chum, a soldier in our work, a dear friend. I will miss the traditional pizza at our gatherings, the notes of encouragement, and his many kind ways. I will remember his advice and counsel and his warm smile: always upbeat, funny, and supportive. Vinnie was at the heart of our program.
Sincerely, Mary Alice Wolf
Professor of Gerontology
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, Connecticut

Beth Schave-Bemis

October 27, 2006

I am so sorry for your loss. It was my pleasure to have Vince as a teacher at SJC and occassionally I had the opportunity to act as his driver when we held class off site - I learned so much from speaking with him on those trips. Somehow he managed to keep tabs on me and my career over the years, as I know he did with many of his students. I'll never know how he remembered all of his students and even the names of our family members! He was a special man and a model of aging. He is missed.

Carol Kozlowski Rzasa

October 26, 2006

It is painful to lose a parent. Remember, however, that your father is always with you. You simply recall one of the many wonderful memories lodged in your mind and heart. Your Dad was a wonderful man.

Sister Virginia Sposito

October 26, 2006

With a heavy heart I send my sympathy on the death of Vince. I was a student of his at St. Joseph's College and often went back for various functions and I was always so happy to see him. I knew he was not well. I am orgininally from Hartford and he always referred to me as Julie's daughter. My prayers are with you all at this time.

James & Carol Louisgnan

October 26, 2006

Always 'Uncle Jimmy', your New Year's parties will be forever cherished. Your love for family was clear and you have made a place in all our hearts.

Valerie O'Krent

October 26, 2006

Vince, you lived the meaning of Erikson's theory of Generativity and Ego Integrity just as you taught these to us, your students and mentees. You touched many and benefited all. The world is larger because of your presence and smaller in losing you.
Shalom,
Valerie O'Krent

Celeste Mattingly

October 26, 2006

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences and prayers are with you as you grieve your father's passing and celebrate his wonderful life.

Mary Mitchell

October 26, 2006

I was one of Vincent's many students at St. Joseph College. He was an outstanding teacher and mentor. His students will always remember his words of wisdom. My sincere sympathy to all of his family. We will all miss him.

Casey McGannon

October 26, 2006

To this day, I keep a bottle of rose water in my refrigerator - we often brought food to our Systems and Networks class at Saint Joe's, and Vince noted that melon is always better with rose water. His hand-written "recipe" is still in my files. What a fine, kind man, and wonderful educator. My thoughts are with the family at this time....

helen raisz

October 25, 2006

Vin was truly a noble man. I hope someone has collected his wise sayings. The combination of his intellect and passion for all things classical and human enriched the lives of all who knew him.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results