Vincent LaBarbera

Bearsville-

In the early morning of February 1, 2023 at his home, with family by his side, Vincent LaBarbera (Vinnie) peacefully passed to the other side of natural causes. He was 95 years old; only two months short of his April 1st birthday. Born in Gravesend Brooklyn to Rose DiBari of Bari, Italy and Vincent LaBarbera Sr. of Brooklyn NY, Vinnie would later marry his childhood sweetheart Dorothy Salani who went to heaven previously. His three sisters, Anne, Marie, Gloria and brother Raymond are also predeceased.
A World War II Veteran, Vinnie had an early love for model airplanes, which continued throughout his life, and had guided him when he dropped out of high school in 1944 at the age of 17 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served for two years as an Aviation Gunner’s Mate and was assigned to a combat carrier aircrew flying aboard the TBM Avenger torpedo bomber aircraft. It was his torpedo squadron that was assigned to search for the lost Flight 19 aircraft squadron in the late 1945 Bermuda Triangle incident. Following his military service, he married “the girl next door” and childhood sweetheart Dorothy and they had three sons and lived in Brooklyn, where Vinnie was an engine mechanic for Turecamo Coastal & Harbor Corp., as well as Ryan Redi-mix of Mill Basin Brooklyn.
His love for the outdoors and adventure brought him and his family to relocate to Bearsville, NY where he bought property and built a house in 1960, doing a major part of the construction himself. Vinnie started his own business, Eagle GM Diesel Co., Inc in 1963 which remains family owned and operated in Kingston. Later, a fourth son would be welcomed to the family. Vinnie was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman and ocean sailor, where he and Dorothy sailed their 40 foot sailboat named Strega down the coast, to adventures in the Bahamas, Caribbean, South and Central America as well as the Panama Canal for a 6 year trip, including many scuba diving and inland adventures. Upon return, he and Dorothy traveled across the country and then Canada and Alaska in a home built custom conversion bus. Wintertime brought skiing and snowmobiling, and summers brought many rides on his Harley Electra-Glide, as well as continuing to sail Strega. He enjoyed radio controlled airplanes, wood working, working the property, and too many hobbies to list.
Cooking became a huge part of life as well as reading many books. Vinnie left an impression on everyone he met, for his energy, knowledge on many subjects and being an eternal optimist, even when facing adversities, never afraid to voice his opinions - and take action - on subjects close to his heart. He was a dedicated family man and devoted husband to his wife Dorothy for 67 years. He was always there to lend a hand or give good advice when asked. Lately he would often say, “Wow, those 95 years went fast!!!” Surviving Vinnie and Dorothy are his sons Vincent Jr. of Highland, NY; Arthur and his wife Juliet and their daughter Gemma of Glen Cove, NY; David and his wife Kelly and their children Kasey, Alex, Jamie, Ashley, Isabelle, Emily, Kathleen and Thomas of North Kingstown, RI; and Perry and his wife Jennifer and children Anthony and Andrew from Bearsville, NY as well as nieces and nephews. Vinnie touched the lives of many people and will be remembered and missed by his friends and family.  
A gathering to honor and celebrate his life will be held privately. You may share a special memory, photo, or condolence with the family on Vincent’s Tribute Wall at www.Gormleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mark Wilsey at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home 87 Main Street Phoenicia. 
 

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