John Richard Vingiello

John Richard Vingiello, known as Richard, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on December 28,2023 at Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA.  

Richard was born at home in Brooklyn, N.Y. on December 23, 1930, although his "official" date of birth was December 30 because the midwife didn't register his birth until after Christmas, and by then she had forgotten his actual birth date.  His parents, Frank Vingiello and Madeline Pelletiere, were both children of Italian immigrants.  Richard was the youngest of five sons.  After a tough childhood (his father passed away when Richard was only 6), Richard studied at Virginia Polytechnic Institute before returning to New York City and earning his law degree from St. John's Law School.  He became a member of the New York State Bar.

Richard met the love of his life, June Israels, completely by chance in mid-town Manhattan on July 1, 1950.  They were married in July 1952 and remained in NYC, where their first two children were born.

In 1966, Richard took the bold step of moving his family to Tuxedo Park, N.Y.  Three more children, and pets, followed.  Although "far" from their close-knit families, Richard and June made their new home a welcoming and happy place for all.  Together they became part of a group of interesting and talented friends who went to theater productions at West Point and threw wonderful dinner parties.  Richard always took a great interest in young people ("the future") and encouraged his children to invite friends to play, eat and stay regularly.  He would join impromptu softball games and then start the BBQ to feed everyone afterwards.  The "barn" on the property was frequently used for class parties, with clean-up parties the following day.  June was a great sport and seemed to cater for at least 10 mouths every evening.

Soon after moving  to Tuxedo, Richard stopped commuting into NYC and opened his own law practice in West Haverstraw, N.Y.  There was very little distinction for Richard between clients and friends.  He rarely made it from his car into his office without being hailed by someone he knew.  He was always a champion of the underdog  and at times took interim payment in stereo systems or homemade wine.  Richard became active in local politics and decided to run for Town Supervisor, even though no Democrat had been elected in Tuxedo in living memory.    He lost that election by only a few votes but later was appointed attorney for the Town of Tuxedo and then was voted in as Town Justice.  He served on the bench for 20 years and faced no opposition for much of that tenure.  During that time he also became involved in the "Scared Straight" program, which helped young offenders.

In 2010, after Richard had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, Richard and June took the difficult but necessary step to sell their beloved family home and move to a retirement community, Brooksby Village in Peabody, Mass.  It was a tough change, but they were quickly embraced by fellow residents, made fabulous new friends and seized opportunities to  join the gym, go on organized trips, sing in the community choir (June), debate current events weekly, and engage in the  Italian-American club.   They were surrounded by love and support, just when they needed it most.

Richard moved into the Memory Care unit on the Brooksby campus in early September 2023 because June, at 91, had become physically unable to care for him on her own.  He passed away there quickly and peacefully.  He is survived by his wonderful wife of 71 years, June, his children Denise, Adrienne, Andrew, Michael and Rachel, his grandchildren Matthew, Katie, Isabella, Jacob, Joe, Maddie and Genevieve, his sons-in-law Bill and Andy, his daughter-in-law Brenda, his first cousin Chris, his many nieces and nephews and all of their children.

Richard Vingiello will be remembered best for his limitless love of family and food, his generosity, his kindness towards others, his story-telling and his (sometimes awful) jokes.  He leaves a legacy of love.

A private Memorial Service will be held in March.

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