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Vincent Michael Yoswick Jr.
1926 - 2019
Vincent Michael Yoswick Jr.
1926 - 2019
Obituary
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Vincent Yoswick Obituary
Jan. 7, 1926 - March 11, 2019
Services will be held April 6, 2019, for Vincent Michael Yoswick Jr., who died peacefully at home March 11, 2019, at age 93.
He was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Connellsville, Pa. He was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, and like most WWII veterans, was proud of his service; even in recent years, he would still look to speak to any other WWII vets in the room.
On June 26, 1956, he married Emma Valerie Urbanek, the beginning of their nearly 63 years together. Job openings for teachers soon brought them to Portland, where they started a family and Vince began more than 30 years of teaching at Alameda Grade School, where he was loved by many students, feared by some, but always respected. He worked a second job on weekends and some summers when needed to make sure his family's needs were met, yet rarely if ever missed any of his four kids' activities. He retired in 1987.
He loved fishing, photography and Christmas traditions, was an avid reader of biographies and WWII-themed books and donated countless hours bringing food boxes and help to those in need in his parish. He and Valerie traveled extensively, enjoying "volkswalks" in every state and province as well as in dozens of countries. He took great pleasure in the "million dollar view" from their timeshare in Depoe Bay. He was always quick with a smile and never met a person he wouldn't immediately engage with, often starting the conversation by asking where they grew up or went to school.
His is survived by his wife; sons, David (Taffy Johnson) and John; daughters, Mary (and Chris) Hatfield and Helen (Jeff) Connolly; and two grandchildren he adored, Steven and Kristine Connolly.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2019, at St. Rose Catholic Church in N.E. Portland, with a reception to follow. To honor Vince's memory, the family suggests spending some time at the Oregon Coast or in the Columbia River Gorge, two places he loved, or making a donation to Oregon Public Broadcasting or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Michael Davisson
October 17, 2024
Of all the things I learned in school, Mr. Yoswick teaching me and my 4th grade classmates the appropriate way to wash our hands is number 1! I´m 47 years old, and to this day I still wash my hands the way Mr. Yoswick taught me. "Give it a good lather"...."Shake off the excess water".....priceless.
RIP Mr. Yoswick
Karen Mowrey
April 7, 2019
Dear Val, Helen, Mary, John, David and extended family,
Our most heartfelt condolences on the passing of dear Vincent. He was such a kind, forthright and witty man. He made you want to be a better person and showed you how to do it in an understated fashion. We have so many fond and warm memories of Vincent including his great sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With much love,
Karen, Mary, Hal, Pat and Mike Mowrey
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David Tyler
April 6, 2019
I realized later what a significant impact that Scouting had on my life. And that program depends on great volunteers like Mr. Yoswick. I so appreciate the time he took to volunteer with Troop 22! The priest at the funeral was outstanding and thank you David for your words about your father and family.
April 5, 2019
I had Mr. Yoswick for 5th and 6th grades. During that time we struggled a bit to keep me focused on my work instead of chatting with classmates at the worng time! He had my currency which was recess and rather than spending time inside copying pages from the dictionary I decided to buckle down. He instilled a sense of pride in all work which was turned in, making sure penmanship, spelling and grammar were correct. I still carry lessons I learned in his classes with me to this day. My eldest son, Rick, had the chance to attend Alameda in his class also. A profound thank you goes out to him and his family, too. Jennifer Vernon Munson
Tracy Pulford (Russell)
April 3, 2019
When I started teaching at Alemeda School in 1978 Vince became my teacher mentor. I admired his work ethic and professionalism and tried to emulate it throughout my career. I am grateful to have known him and to have been his friend.
Sue Caddell
March 30, 2019
I am sorry to have lost touch. Vince touched many lives and I am grateful to have known him. I was blessed to enjoy many walks with Vince and Val,as well as a delightful trip to Italy.
Wishing all of you special memories.
Bob Repp
March 26, 2019
Great teachers inform your educational experience. Exceptional people inform your whole life. Mr. Yoswick was an exceptional person.
March 26, 2019
Dear Val and family, my thoughts and prayers to you all. Vince was my favorite teacher at Alameda and I was so fortunate to reconnect at a reunion. When I came to Portland to visit my mother, I met Val and Vince so we could catch up in person. Many memories were shared. What a wonderful teacher and friend.
Robert Repp
March 26, 2019
I join so many former students of Alameda Grade School in remembering and paying tribute to this icon in my elementary school experience in the 5th and 6th grade classes. Mr. Yoswick had just arrived from Univ. Of Pittsburgh to start his thankfully long uninterrupted tenure at Alameda. He defined not just teaching excellence but devotion to the progress of each of his students. He cared and his presence with each of us is indeliable. Mr. Yoswick's passing reminds many us of our own life journey. We were there in our youth when he launched his career. Some of us remember that Mr. Yoswick gave us our first N (in math) but always motivating us to get a C next time! He'd take genuine interest in our lives and well being shared with me when we walked across Fremont St., up NE 28th St. , past my Uncle George Repp's home with an ensuing conversation with my uncle. Along (I'm sure) with other students who were there at the beginning of his career,, we ponder how our own life journey was affected by this special man? How do we measure up? Job superlatively well done Mr. Yoswick. You were a giant as a teacher and as a human being. God keep you. You were loved.
Stephen Rosenfeld
March 25, 2019
The quintessential teacher comes to mind whenever I think of Mr. Yoswick. I had the good fortune to be a student in his 6th Grade class. Later, during my teaching career, I was honored when he accepted my invitation to lunch, thanks to David, who supplied me with a phone number. Now I can attest that he rose to the same quintessence as a human being. There is no doubt that his influence was significant in my successful 32 year career as a PPS elementary school teacher. To me, as to many others, he remains a giant among men who touched and provided a positive influence to hundreds of lives.
Mary McDowd Hoag
March 24, 2019
Dear Val and family ~ I was sorry to read of Vince's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. My dad was so happy that you both moved to the same building as he was in. I think he and Vince made some St.V de P deliveries together back in their younger days. Sending peace and blessings to your family.
Karen Burnham
March 24, 2019
My condolences to Valerie and all of Vince's children and grandchildren. I can't think of a better mentor in my first years of teaching than Vince. He took me under his wing and taught me so many valuable lessons about teaching, and education. I always treasured our friendship and have thought of him often over the years. Now that my grandson is at Alameda, I am reminded of him often. He was simply one of the best.
March 24, 2019
Mr Yoswick taught me and my siblings Scott an Kelli at Alameda. I remember he worked at a grocery store in the neighborhood to make ends meet as a young teacher. He came to my Dad's funeral and gave me a school paper I had written in sixth grade. He loved my parents as well and enjoyed having Stipes in his class. He came to our Alameda 50th reunion several years ago and remembered everyone there.
He was a kind man and a great teacher. I remember he had our class listen to the World Series on hte radio when Pittsburg played!! I've thought of him often through the years.
Mike Stipe
Wade Hockett
March 24, 2019
Take car, Mr Yoswick. Thanks for the memories.
Judi Taylor McGarvey
March 24, 2019
A wonderful person and a great teacher. I had the honor of being in his first class at Alameda in 1953. When our class began having reunions in the 1980s, we invited Mr. Yoswick and his wife to our parties and they joined us many times. It was a joy to get to know him again when we were all grown up!
Bruce Weinsoft
March 23, 2019
I was saddened to read of the loss of one of my favorite teachers at Alameda Grade School. I was a student in his class for both 5th and 6th grades. Many of his vital lessons, particularly in English grammar, seem fresh in my mind even in my senior years.
I have fond memories of many of our classmates visiting Mr. and Mrs. Yoswick at their home after the birth of their first child. In later years I had the opportunity to talk with him at a reunion I attended at the school. Whenever I read or hear of the University of Pittsburgh, I think of my former teacher; in fact, my wife and I toured the university on a trip to Pittsburgh in the 1990s for an event.
Mr. Yoswick was a good man and a good mentor who will be missed by many.
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