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Vincent Iturbe Obituary
God reached down and gently took Vince Iturbe home on January 23, 2017. He was 70 years old.
Born in Union City, New Jersey, on May 14, 1946, Vince was the son of Robert and Agnes (Ruggieri) Iturbe. He received a BA in Social Studies and Education from the College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in 1968 and taught briefly before being called to serve in the army in the jungles of Vietnam.
He moved to Utah in 1976 and began his more than 30-year career with the Utah Department of Workforce Services as an unemployment insurance adjudicator. He worked as a hearings officer, audit monitor and fraud investigator on his way to becoming claims supervisor and unemployment insurance manager, often aiding the courts in prosecution cases and providing training in fraud investigation to local offices. From 1982 to 1984, he was assigned to the national office in Washington, DC, and received a letter of commendation from the U.S. Department of Justice/FBI in 2003. He retired in 2009.
Vince was proudest of his volunteer work with Community Nursing Services' (CNS) Journey Home hospice program, and was a compassionate caregiver and companion to patients with HIV/AIDS and cancer for more than 30 years. In 2012, he received the VNAA Individual Care Provider Volunteer of the Year Award. He became known as "Mr. Art & Soup" through his efforts coordinating CNS's annual fundraiser.
Vince was a longtime, very active member of St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center parish. As the center's unofficial historian, he loved to entertain gatherings with anecdotes about Newman's eclectic history. He was a great storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. His other favorite subject was the Titanic; he was an authority about everything related to that iconic ship.
Vince loved to travel and made friends all around the world. He was also a devoted godfather to a legion of godchildren and caring guardian to a succession of spirited cats. He is survived by his sister, Emily Vessillo; brother Anthony Ruggieri and his wife Roberta; nephews Todd Ruggieri and his wife Michele, Rosario Vessillo, Jr. and his wife Donna, and Michael Ruggieri and Stefanie Simeone; great-nephews Brian Hillard, Devin Ruggieri, Joe Simeone, and Russell Vessillo; and cousin Irene and husband John Wyss. He was predeceased by his great-niece, Alyssa Ruggieri. A loving son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend, he will be greatly missed.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena at 170 South University Street, Salt Lake City on Saturday, February 25 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception. A rosary precedes the Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Madonna Cemetery & Mausoleum in Fort Lee, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Nursing Services of Salt Lake City or the Fred and Annette Nicholas scholarship fund he endowed at TCNJ.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vincent Iturbe
Kathy Prettyman
May 4, 2024
This is really late because I just discovered the site.
I was one of Vince´s many "best" friends. We all felt like we were " the" special one in his life. That was his gift.
Like Anita, I first saw Vince when he worked in adjudication on the 2nd floor at 1294 South Main in the Department of Employment Security or Job Service as we called it. I had no idea who he was but he greeted like I was an old friend. I worked on the 5th floor in the Payment Control Unit at that time. He soon became a fraud investigator in the same unit. One of my first memories was him telling Faye Hubbard and me a slightly off- color joke and how Faye and I were totally shocked. :). We soon learned to dish it right back to him. Vince made work a fun place to be. Our unit became like a big Italian family thanks to him. He would tell us stories about his encounters while on local office audits and keep us in stitches. He was a great story teller!
He and I share a love of Abraham Lincoln and we started a habit of getting a sheet cake every year and having everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to Lincoln before they were allowed cake. This went on from the early 1980´s until we retired in 2009. That year we had a catered lunch for the second floor staff. It was the anniversary of Lincoln´s 200th birthday and seemed appropriate for our exit. One of our ex- adjudicators who was tall and lanky made a guest appearance as Lincoln and recited the Gettysburg address. It was a smash!
I can go on and on about my memories of this great friend. Every time we went out to eat, the restaurant staff knew him and gave us all special treatment because we were with Vince. I love him so much! He died in his sleep and it was a great shock and loss for all of us who knew him. But I firmly believe the angels came and took him home with them. They needed someone who would be a friend to all the newcomers.
Rest in Peace my lovely friend!
Sharon Weaver
December 8, 2020
I'm sad to learn of Vince's passing. Back in the early 80's, he and I were members of IAPES and also worked together on the federal Random Audit program. Every time he came to Pennsylvania we'd come up with new rules and procedures for other states but not ours, of course! I miss the big galoot. Our world isn't the same without him, but the next world has gained one heck of a soul.
Sharon Weaver
Dana Knold
March 4, 2017
Vince was such a incredible person. I feel so blessed to have known him for so many years. I enjoyed seeing him at Pioneer Theater after he retired from the State where I worked with him. He will be so greatly missed.
Jennifer Launer
March 2, 2017
This world has lost an incredible man, but heaven gained an angel! Vince had to pass by my desk at work to get to his. One day I offered him some Greek olives - you would have thought I gave him a million dollars! So animated about how great they were and extremely appreciative for sharing. From that day on I always picked up a fresh container especially for him each time I went to Wild Oats Market. It brought me so much happiness to do a kind act for someone who sincerely appreciated it. I will always remember his witty sense of humor and his loud Hawaiian shirts. He was a true gentleman and kind sole. My sincere condolences go out to his family.
tom cherry
February 27, 2017
enjoyed our many talks of the 'hood".
oddly my mom is buried at Madonna Cemetery as well. Now there's a "pair".
Jersey Boys and Girls Forever!
not far from St Joseph's of the Palisades 801-673-4580
Michael Agnew
February 26, 2017
"You have to live, live, live. Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death" - Auntie Mame and Vince Iturbe
Thank you for the memories and making my life a little brighter. I met Vince in the early 1980's when he was snowed in up here in North Dakota. He became a fast friend and a strong figure in my life. I will miss knowing you were around the mountain.
Rest in peace my friend. Heaven received another angel. My sympathies to his family and friends. 159 Secret Code!
Anita Kramer
February 25, 2017
I met, no saw, Vince on my first day working as a adjudicator for Workforce Service (WFS). He was wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt a over bushy grass skirt. It was Halloween. When he opened his mouth, I could tell he was no Hawaiian, but a native of NYCBronx was my guess. Someone told me his name is Vince Iturbe. A famous name if he is a relative to Jose Iturbe, the South American orchestra conductor. After a few days I introduced myself and asked him if he was related to the famous conductor. Vince beamed and proudly acknowledged they were distant cousins. He was amazed I knew about Jose, so I confessed I was a film junky and grew up watching musicals from the 30's and 40's. His cousin was in some of the best films. Vince explained he had grownup seeing the musicals on Broadway with his aunt. Our friendship began that day. Me from the West coast, Vince from the East coast, with music binding us together. He became my boss four years later and he helped make each work day special. Vince loved people. His circle of family and friends was huge. He loved to serve. His community and church were opportunities to share his skills and meet the needs of the causes he deeply supported. His stories of the good old days' at DFS before computers were delightful. As a member of his work team, I found him encouraging and open to the team's ideas of how to make a difficult job better. Although I live in Texas now, I always took advantage of seeing Vince when we came back to SLC. He loved to tell his tales of adventures in his many travels as a retiree. He loved living. I was not ready to say goodby to Vince. I'm grateful for all the wonderful times I had with him. Oh, did I mention that Vince was also a generous person? Think of all the great memories he left each of us. What a great inheritance we have from Vince Iturbe.
Anita Kramer
Karen and Roger Christensen
February 24, 2017
Vince and I became friends through Art and Soup, and from the moment I met him, I was impressed by his kind and gentle ways. We will miss your sweet spirit, Vince. You impacted many with your kindness.
February 23, 2017
I was lucky to meet Vince through my brother, Richard Busch. Vince was invited to every holiday dinner at my parents, Don and MaryAnn Busch. Vince helped us with the passing of both parents. We will have a tender place in our heart for him always.
Steve and Donna (Busch) Bryant
Jeff Bardin
February 22, 2017
I had the privilege of working for many years with Vince at Job Service/Workforce Services in the Unemployment Insurance Division. He was my boss for about five years. I always enjoyed working with and for him. He always showed that he cared about the people he worked with and those who our agency served. My heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.
Eddie Richmond
February 16, 2017
Vince was an incredible boss, mentor, and friend. It is with a heavy heart that I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends. It was a true honor to know Vince.
Kathi Ryland
February 16, 2017
A kind-hearted, fun-loving, genuine and sincere quintessential "gentle"man and friend who got his reward way too early for us left behind. We will miss you Vinny ... Happy Trails!
Bill Schwarz
February 16, 2017
Vince and I worked together at the Jersey City Unemployment Office in the early 70's.. Although he abandoned the Garden State for beautiful Utah we stayed in touch over the years and saw each other at the annual IAWP conferences throughout the country. He had a great sense of humor and the two of us would have these informal dance competitions. He was a much better dancer but I would never admit it. Vince was a wonderful ,thoughtful friend who will be greatly missed.
Steve Gustaveson
February 15, 2017
We will miss Vince very much he was a great friend always so outgoing and kind. Tim knew him from the pharmacy at Smith's and we use to meet him and Darlene for dinner before we all went to the theatre at The Capitol. The waiters always wanted him at their tables because he had a wonderful sense of humor and he gave very generous tips to kids trying to earn their way through school.
He invited us over for dinner often to talk about our latest adventures in travel. He was one of the best cooks I know.
We will miss him at the annual Art & Soup, we started going to these events because we knew he would be there and he was the life of the party
Vince I am sure you will be rewarded in your new adventures in the afterlife because of your kindness, however we will all miss you.
God Bless, Steve Gus
Noel Nielsen
February 13, 2017
Vince was such a neat guy! I just loved him. For years he would come to our Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve family gatherings. He was like family to us Nielsens. I remember he would love to go an watch the choir sing, at the Tabernacle. My mom, would see him in the audience often. As both of parents passed away, he was right there, at their funerals. He sure will be missed. What a special man!
Michael Hunter
February 12, 2017
A good man with a good heart, kind, caring and very warm towards all. With a very hearty and noticeable laugh, it was very nice to know and be your friend.
February 12, 2017
So proud to call you my friend..you made the room light up with your kindness your love of life and most of all your friendship and always ready to help ! YOU WILL BE BE MISSED .RIP
Ron Ahlstrom
February 12, 2017
Early in his career with what was then "Job Service", I worked with Vince on an Unemployment Insurance budgeting project. He had a strong work ethic combined with a wry sense of humor. He brightened what was otherwise a very dull project, leading to a career long friendship.
Julie Koplin
February 12, 2017
Vince, One of a kind and loved by all. I will miss you at our annual events. Fun loving and never a dull moment. I hold so many memories always.
Dan Andrus
February 12, 2017
I knew Vince in the 1980s and am sorry to hear of his passing. He was a warm, welcoming person and was quick to reach out to people in friendship. His was a life lived for others and I will always remember his broad and quick smile.
Lonny Marchbanks/Yergensen
February 11, 2017
I am very sad to hear that Vince passed away. Will keep his family in my prayers. He was a joy to be around. I have great memories of working with him at Job Service on 13th South and Main....
Lynn Jensen
February 11, 2017
Such a kind, generous, welcoming man. He was one of our best and will be deeply missed. It was an honor to have called him my friend.
Richard Muranaka
February 11, 2017
Vince will be missed by all who knew him. He was a true friend.
Bonnie Fischer
February 11, 2017
I loved working with Vince at the office & in our professional association - IAPES. He will be missed!!!
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