Vincent L. Ponziani

Vincent Louis Ponziani, 56, of Bucyrus, passed away at his home on Thursday, March 14, 2024 in the presence of many who loved him.

He was born May 22, 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Nello Louis and Veronica Ann (Gmutza) Ponziani. Vince was a 1985 graduate of Bucyrus High School where played football and was proud to have received the Walker award during his senior season. He was also active in the Players Club. Following graduation, he attended Tiffin University before marrying his high school sweetheart, Kimberly S. Willis on May 13, 1989. She survives, and they’ve shared many adventures over their 35 years of marriage.

Vince worked at Ohio Crane for several years and in 2010, found his calling to better the lives of those with disabilities by hiring in as a Job Coach and Developer with the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Vince worked under Charles Frobose who was instrumental in teaching, mentoring, and guiding his career. In 2014, Vince became the Director of Waycraft Incorporated and gave of himself until his health no longer allowed. He was proud of the many lives that he helped transform and loved every moment spent with these individuals.

Vince was active at the former First Christian Church, serving as Council President and a church Elder. He enjoyed camping and traveling with family and liked to laugh while watching The Three Stooges and The Simpsons. He had a love/hate relationship with the game of golf and was quite competitive in anything he did. Vince considered himself to be a history nut who enjoyed watching documentaries and reading about it. He loved music of all kinds and was always up for attending a festival or concert. Vince was quite the cook and his Italian sauce made for some great spaghetti. He often made his sauce for church and X-Band fundraisers. Vince enjoyed watching the Indians in baseball and the Penguins in hockey, but being a Pittsburgh Steelers fan was his greatest passion. He loved rooting for the Black and Gold, ribbing friends who were Browns fans and when he traveled to Heinze Field, his Steelers were a perfect 14-0. Unfortunately for him, they were not so successful when he attended Cleveland Browns Stadium. Nonetheless, he, Anthony, Chip, Jeff and other friends, shared many good times over the years watching football!

Vince will be remembered as a loyal and hardworking man. He was funny and liked to make people laugh. He was a collector of anything Three Stooges, Simpsons, and Pittsburgh Steelers. In the past, he liked to unwind with a Cohiba cigar and a glass of Jameson on the rocks. In more recent years he kept occupied with adult coloring books, crossword puzzles and X-Box. Cheers to a life well lived!

In addition to his wife, Kim; Vince is survived by children, Kylie (A.J.) Burton, Michael (Trisha) Ponziani, Juliet Ponziani and Adam Ponziani; grandchildren whom he adored, Caleb, Kyle, Lilly, Jaxen and Kendall as a soon to be his sixth, Andrew; siblings, Angela (Chip, DC) Miller and Anthony Ponziani; mother-in-law, Alice (Joe) Schieber; brother-in-law, Josh (Erica, DVM) Schieber; many nieces and nephews; his extended Waycraft family; Jeff Panovich, who he considered a brother, and Dexter, his 100 lbs. of craziness dog that over the past four years has provided much love and companionship.

Calling hours for Vince will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Tuesday, March 19 at Wise Funeral Service, where his funeral will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday with Pastor Brad Smith officiating.

If desired, donations can be made payable to Waycraft Incorporated, American Cancer Society or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Memories and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook.