Obituary for Vincent Ralph D'Angelo
Vincent D’Angelo Obituary
August 27rd, 2021
On August 22nd, 2021, Vincent “Vince” D’Angelo passed away at the age of 93 in Naples, Florida.
It is difficult to summarize the life and character of Vince, who’s experiences ranged from big-shot real estate developer and entrepreneur, to thoughtful pilot and flight instructor, dedicated writer and golfer, meticulous home-maker, and eccentric inventor and innovator.
Born in Brooklyn in October of 1927 to parents Margaret and Alexander, Vince grew up in Brooklyn and Eastchester with his brother Francis. He would later attend Columbia University to study architecture, during which he received his draft notice for the Korean War. Vince then enlisted in the Navy, where he would serve from 1946-1954. As part of his service, he worked as a surveyor with the Naval Construction Battalions (aka “The Seabees”), across several countries along the Western Pacific Region; even eponymously naming an unmarked island in the Philippines “D’Angelo’s Point.” Vince’s experiences in the Navy would eventually become the subject of many of his written works later in life; he described this time as a highlight in his life.
As a real-estate developer and entrepreneur in Westchester and Rockland County, NY, Vince is credited with changing the physical landscape and building community. He designed and built homes, apartment buildings, commercial offices, shopping centers, indoor tennis clubs and even a short-lived (but much loved) dinner theater in Nanuet, NY. One of his beloved entrepreneurial accomplishments, The Spring Valley Indoor Tennis Club, was a staple in the community in the 1970s, and was frequented by tennis aficionados, his family and friends and the local community. With tennis and racket ball courts, a fitness center and bustling community events, the Tennis Club was ahead of its time-- much like its founder, Vince.
After an early retirement at age 62, Vince moved down to Naples, Florida, where he lived an equally full and impressive life as a pilot, flight instructor, golfer, and writer. Vince spent his early years in Naples (until age 79) running his flight business, where he trained new pilots for their instrument rating. He also aided the Civil Air Patrol (an auxiliary of the Air Force) with search and rescue missions, and wrote freelance articles in aviation magazines on topical safety issues. It is unsurprising that Vince was such a meticulously skilled pilot, as he was nothing but fastidious and precise in all things. From his home, in which every item had its specific place and purpose (which were often manually modified to his exacting specifications), to his impeccably maintained vintage Mercedes- a car that can only be described as the very essence of cool. If it was Vince’s, it was immaculate.
Beyond piloting, Vince filled his free time playing golf at his Florida home, which was located on a golf course at the Lely Resort in Naples. This location allowed him to practice his golf skills and fish free golf balls out of the nearby pond; several close encounters with alligators in the pond were inevitable, but never a deterrent. Vince had his fair share of close encounters, from surviving Hurricane Irma in his home-made bunker in Florida, to chasing off robbers and arsonists in NY; Vince was a survivor up until the very end.
In his later years, Vince discovered his love for writing. He self-published several novels, novellas, and plays (see below for published works), one of which was a finalist for the Naples Players ETC’s “New Plays Contest.” Vince also wrote letters-to-the-editor for local newspapers, especially when he had a point of disagreement with a recent Op-Ed. Like everything he did, Vince’s impassioned dedication to writing was absolute-- and filled much of his time in his final years.
It is difficult to summarize the life and character of Vince. Many of us who had the privilege of knowing him, knew only a part of him, a version of a larger, more colorful character. Vince certainly was just that-a character as interesting and idiosyncratic as those of great novels. However, he was also exceedingly real, and will be forever loved and admired by his family and friends.
Vincent is survived by his three children, Sandy, Ralph, and Laura, and two grandchildren, Justin, and Alexa. As well as his son-in-law Rui, and cherished friend and son-in-law Barry. He is also survived by his dear friend Karin (who he often referred to as his third wife).
Services were private. Please donate to your local hospice or Meals on Wheels America in the name of Vincent D’Angelo.
Vince D’Angelo’s Written Works
Novels and Novellas
No-Name Island
Forever is Tomorrow
Bavarian Girls
Out of Hong Kong
Among others…
Written by his granddaughter Alexa.
August 27rd, 2021
On August 22nd, 2021, Vincent “Vince” D’Angelo passed away at the age of 93 in Naples, Florida.
It is difficult to summarize the life and character of Vince, who’s experiences ranged from big-shot real estate developer and entrepreneur, to thoughtful pilot and flight instructor, dedicated writer and golfer, meticulous home-maker, and eccentric inventor and innovator.
Born in Brooklyn in October of 1927 to parents Margaret and Alexander, Vince grew up in Brooklyn and Eastchester with his brother Francis. He would later attend Columbia University to study architecture, during which he received his draft notice for the Korean War. Vince then enlisted in the Navy, where he would serve from 1946-1954. As part of his service, he worked as a surveyor with the Naval Construction Battalions (aka “The Seabees”), across several countries along the Western Pacific Region; even eponymously naming an unmarked island in the Philippines “D’Angelo’s Point.” Vince’s experiences in the Navy would eventually become the subject of many of his written works later in life; he described this time as a highlight in his life.
As a real-estate developer and entrepreneur in Westchester and Rockland County, NY, Vince is credited with changing the physical landscape and building community. He designed and built homes, apartment buildings, commercial offices, shopping centers, indoor tennis clubs and even a short-lived (but much loved) dinner theater in Nanuet, NY. One of his beloved entrepreneurial accomplishments, The Spring Valley Indoor Tennis Club, was a staple in the community in the 1970s, and was frequented by tennis aficionados, his family and friends and the local community. With tennis and racket ball courts, a fitness center and bustling community events, the Tennis Club was ahead of its time-- much like its founder, Vince.
After an early retirement at age 62, Vince moved down to Naples, Florida, where he lived an equally full and impressive life as a pilot, flight instructor, golfer, and writer. Vince spent his early years in Naples (until age 79) running his flight business, where he trained new pilots for their instrument rating. He also aided the Civil Air Patrol (an auxiliary of the Air Force) with search and rescue missions, and wrote freelance articles in aviation magazines on topical safety issues. It is unsurprising that Vince was such a meticulously skilled pilot, as he was nothing but fastidious and precise in all things. From his home, in which every item had its specific place and purpose (which were often manually modified to his exacting specifications), to his impeccably maintained vintage Mercedes- a car that can only be described as the very essence of cool. If it was Vince’s, it was immaculate.
Beyond piloting, Vince filled his free time playing golf at his Florida home, which was located on a golf course at the Lely Resort in Naples. This location allowed him to practice his golf skills and fish free golf balls out of the nearby pond; several close encounters with alligators in the pond were inevitable, but never a deterrent. Vince had his fair share of close encounters, from surviving Hurricane Irma in his home-made bunker in Florida, to chasing off robbers and arsonists in NY; Vince was a survivor up until the very end.
In his later years, Vince discovered his love for writing. He self-published several novels, novellas, and plays (see below for published works), one of which was a finalist for the Naples Players ETC’s “New Plays Contest.” Vince also wrote letters-to-the-editor for local newspapers, especially when he had a point of disagreement with a recent Op-Ed. Like everything he did, Vince’s impassioned dedication to writing was absolute-- and filled much of his time in his final years.
It is difficult to summarize the life and character of Vince. Many of us who had the privilege of knowing him, knew only a part of him, a version of a larger, more colorful character. Vince certainly was just that-a character as interesting and idiosyncratic as those of great novels. However, he was also exceedingly real, and will be forever loved and admired by his family and friends.
Vincent is survived by his three children, Sandy, Ralph, and Laura, and two grandchildren, Justin, and Alexa. As well as his son-in-law Rui, and cherished friend and son-in-law Barry. He is also survived by his dear friend Karin (who he often referred to as his third wife).
Services were private. Please donate to your local hospice or Meals on Wheels America in the name of Vincent D’Angelo.
Vince D’Angelo’s Written Works
Novels and Novellas
No-Name Island
Forever is Tomorrow
Bavarian Girls
Out of Hong Kong
Among others…
Written by his granddaughter Alexa.