Joseph J. Vincent III

1939 - 2017

Joseph J. Vincent III, 78, of Corning, NY died Thursday October 19, 2017 surrounded by his wife and 4 children.

He was born April 18, 1939 in Winsted, CT, the son of Joseph J. Vincent Jr. and Rose Bruno Vincent. After losing his mother at age 9, Joe was raised by his father and step-mother Laura DiNicola Vincent. Joe was a 1952 graduate of St. Andrews grade school where he played the bugle in the band and was a proud young civil defense air raid warden which would be the start of his patriotic call to service. He was an altar boy at St. Joseph's church from age 8 on. As a child, he spent many memorable summers with family in Simsbury, CT.

He was a 1956 graduate of The Gilbert School in Winsted, CT where he played football and worked at his Uncle "Nonnie" Bruno's market as a delivery boy and clerk. Joe also spent 2 summers working in tobacco fields.

Upon graduating, he served honorably in the US Navy from 1956 to 1960 as a Radio Equipment Foreman on the USS Rainier.

After his discharge, Joe attended Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, NY. While attending Simmons, he met the love of his life and wife of 54 years, Donna Lou Sutherland. The two were married and moved to Hartford, CT where Joe was a funeral director at Ahern Funeral Home. The couple then moved to Ithaca, NY, where Joe attended Ithaca College, and worked in the payroll department at Morse Chain Company. They next moved to Wellsboro, PA where Joe worked at Tussy Funeral Home and attended Mansfield University where he completed his degree.

The couple settled in Corning, NY in 1972, where they raised their family and resided until his passing. Joe was managing partner of Phillips Funeral Home in Corning, Painted Post, and Big Flats, NY.

Their family was raised in the St. Vincent De Paul Parish where Joe was a Confirmation teacher for 13 years, in addition to being a Lector and Eucharistic Minister for decades.

Joe was a community-minded man. Not only did his profession allow him to help many through the roughest times in their lives, he was involved in a variety of civic organizations. He was the Pack 63 Cubmaster for 6 years and Chief Soaring "Bald" Eagle for the YMCA Indian Princesses for 3 years. He was an active member of Kiwanis, serving 2 terms as President and organized an annual Canoe Regatta in the Chemung River. Joe also dedicated 30 years to the American Red Cross, focused on Service to Military Families - aiding with communications and transportation during family emergencies.

Joe was an incredibly welcoming and inclusive person who genuinely accepted everyone. He was a proud member of the Republican party, canvassing on the local and state level, as well as an election official for Corning's 8th Ward.

He was a voracious reader, with a memory and recall that marveled everyone who knew him. His whole family considered him the best "phone a friend" for any trivia.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Donna Lou Vincent; son Joseph (Valerie) J. Vincent IV of Cato, NY; daughters Victoria (Michael) Kesling of Barberton, OH; Kimberly "KI" (Scott) LaClair of Watertown, NY; and Melissa E. Vincent of Santa Cruz, CA; Siblings: Carol A. Vincent of VA; Tom (Kim) Vincent of CT; Steve Vincent of CT; Laurie (Steve) Oiler of VA; David Vincent of TN; and Alice Roberge of CT; Grandchildren: Ruby Rose, Romi, Hunter, Bradley, Justin, and Brooke.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Raymond and Allen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am, Friday, October 27, 2017, at St. Catherine's Church, 51 Maple St., Addison, NY. Burial will be in Bath National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to the National Kidney Foundation at team.kidney.org/campaign/jjviii.

Acly-Stover Funeral Home is handling arrangements.