Vincent P. Spanilo

1950 - 2016

Vincent P. Spanilo, 65, a lifelong resident of Enfield, was welcomed home to our heavenly Father on Nov. 1, 2016, All Saints Day.

His final days were spent surrounded by family and cared for by the transplant nurses, doctors, and staff at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was a blessing and an inspiration to all who knew him.

Vinnie is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife, Debbie, of 43 years; his son, Vincent G. Spanilo, two daughters, Haley Spanilo-Scott, and Jennifer S. Hawkins and her husband, Christopher, all of Enfield; four grandchildren, Maliek, Lily, Landon, and Addison; three brothers, Ernest Spanilo and his wife, Pauline, of Agawam, Massachusetts, Raymond Spanilo and his wife, Elaine, of Glastonbury, Joseph Spanilo and his wife, Barbara, of Burlington; two sisters, Jane Butterworth and her husband, Ken, of Westbrook, and Nancy Johnson, of Spokane, Washington; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves Larry Ruffino, his childhood and lifelong friend, brother of his heart.

After graduating from Enfield High School in 1969, Vinnie enlisted in the military, where he served 28 years in the Connecticut Air National Guard and retired at the rank of chief master sergeant. Vinnie was regarded as one of the U.S. Air Force's foremost experts in the field of aviation fuel facility design and management. He was a mentor to countless airmen, who valued his wisdom and insight on gaining an education, working hard, and thriving as a non-commissioned officer. Following his diagnosis of end-stage pulmonary fibrosis, Vinnie received a lung transplant Nov. 6, 2000. With his new lung and a renewed appreciation for life, he completed his bachelor's degree at University of Connecticut and graduated with a master's degree in psychology and counseling from Vermont College in 2005. His education and personal journey pre- and post-transplant motivated Vinnie to counsel others with the psycho-social aspects of transplantation. In 2008, Vinnie received another gift of life from Col. Jack Swift, a beloved friend who walked the same spiritual path as Vinnie. Jack selflessly donated a kidney, allowing Vinnie to continue his mission on Earth for another eight years.

Vinnie dedicated himself to helping others and was part of many organizations, including the American Legion - John Maciolek Post 154 and the Enfield Conference of Christian Churches. He was founder of the Enfield Men's Christian Fellowship Group, a participant in the 2002 Transplant Olympics, a volunteer for the American Lung Association, and an active participant in the MGH Lung Transplant Support Group. His final contribution to this physical world was the donation of his corneas after his death. Vinnie's spirit will live on in the lives of all who knew him. He was a fighter until the end and is a testament of his unwavering faith. He believed that life is good, but with God it is better.

Visitation hours will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1518 King St., Enfield (please meet at church). Burial, with military honors, will follow at Hazardville Cemetery.

Donations in Vinnie's memory may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital, Lung Transplant Support Group, Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, or to Donate Life of Connecticut, P.O. Box 278, Durham, CT 06422.

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