JoAnn,Skip,Uncle Bob, Aunt Marion, Aunt Ann: Please accept my condolences for Uncle Vinnie's passing. I've been thinking about what to post for the past couple of days. My dad and Uncle Vinnie were best friends besides brothers so I, as Ben's son, had much contact with Vinnie. Of course he had a tremendous sense of humor and the greatest laugh in history and I'll always know that the punch line was coming on a joke because he would start laughing before he delivered it. He also had a great sense of family which we all know is all we have in this life. It all begins and ends with family. Ours was so close when I was growing up and even though we are all separated by many miles now the bond that I feel with the Surdi's is so strong. I'm always asking my mom how everyone is. So please know that I am thinking of you everyday. Uncle Vin also had a great impact on how I think. I remember being in the den in Essex Fells and seeing the mounted animals and listening to Uncle Vin talk about his trips to the west and being in the outdoors. Those talks had a great impact on me as I feel most alive when I'm in the wild and I know that Uncle Vin will always be with me whenever I'm there. I do regret that I never got the chance to flyfish with him in NY state. But know that I plan to learn soon and go to Montana to fish for wild trout and he will be with me. Uncle Vin will always be with all of us just as my dad is with me everyday. I'll end with one word that should bring a smile to all that read this- "MARIO!"

Ever since the day Danny brought Joann to our house to meet us little did we know there was another special person we would grow to love,her father Vince.He was like a second father to my brother as our own father had recently passed.I will always remember his smile, his sense of humor and his ever present cigar. All those fun picnics playing bocce, trying to roast marshmallows and trying you grill cheese contraption and always burning the sandwich. But may favorite story is your reaction to my Christmas gift I gave you one year, a pair of gloves. I always remember the look on your face when speaking about your children and grandchildren, your were so proud.May you rest in peace alongside your beloved wife.God Bless you Vinny,

Vince came into our lives the same year we lost our father and the connection was instant. That was 19 years ago. When I think back now I wonder if he ever knew how much he meant to all of us. He had a way about him that made you believe that everything would be ok, a trait I had missed so much when I lost my father. His wonderful and hilarious stories told to his "new audience" as JoAnn would say. I loved the "Father of the Bride" and "Mother of the Groom" hats he got for himself and my mother for Dan and JoAnn's wedding, and wore it! I loved how he included my mother in all his fun inspite of her illness and sometimes unwillingness. He was there for us again when we sadly lost our mother. He became a wonderful constant in our lives. He always made the holidays special for my children. He was a true "Grandpa" at heart and how he would beam when he spoke of his grandchildren. I loved how he would remind us, frequently, to make sure and hold Daniel's head when he was a baby so his neck wouldn't snap. I will miss the many conversations in the garage and the smell of his little cigars with him sitting crosslegged on the lawn chair. I will miss the bocce games in the yard. I will miss his wonderful sense of humor, he would always make us laugh. I feel so fortunate to have had Vince in our lives and hope he realized how much he was loved. He will be deeply missed.

Vinnie;

Thank you.

Thank you for always treating me like a son.

Thank you for being a great Grandpa to Daniel.

Thank you for making me smile every day.

Thank you for helping me through the toughest of times.

Thank you for always listening.

Thank you for teaching me to fish the right way.

Thank you for all of the laughs.

Thank you for all of our great conversations on the patio.

Thank you for sharing all of your incredible stories with me and Daniel.

Things that I'll never forget;

The sound of your shuffling slippers down my hallway.

Your red robe.

Putting your initials "VJS" on everything.

How proud you were of the house in Cook's Falls.

Always having Entenmann's cake in the house, especially your favorite, Louisiana Crunch.

Eating Frosted Flakes with Half-and-Half.

Always asking for a "Coke, not Diet" instead of just ordering a Coke.

Always asking for your pasta Al Dente.

Talking about golf with you.

Spoiling Maddy.

The look on your face when Daniel learned how to ride a bike.

The look on your face at Daniel's Piano Recital.

The look on your face when Daniel did anything!

Asking Daniel to read the Snapple cap every night at Dinner.

The first time you took Daniel fishing.

I could go on for hours…

I will miss you every day Vin.

We are very sorry for your loss. I know he and my father, Tony, are having some wine up in Heaven, My mom and I plan to come to the night services to share in remembering him and good fencing. Sending prayers your way for acceptance and sympathy.

My thoughts and prayers goes out to the entire Surdi family during this sad time. My heartfelt condolences. I am so sorry for your loss.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the Surdi family. I and many others had the benefit of knowing this wonderful gentleman who gave of his time and talent to promote the sport of fencing on all levels. I knew Vince as a skilled director while I was at Essex Catholic HS and later at Montclair State. In fact, while at Montclair in 1971, he actually filled in as our coach and was with us when we won the North Atlantics and posed with us in the with us in the team picture. He later chaperoned us on our trip to the NCAAs in South Bend, Indiana. A gentleman,impeccably dressed, with a quick sense of humor, Vinny will be missed.

First, I want to say how much I loved Uncle Vinny. He made me smile and laugh so much my sides would hurt. I have some nice memories of him. Like his pipe. Loved his pipe. Loved his fashion. Always dressed to kill. What an outdoorsman. Always wanted to go fly fishing with him. Regret we never did. Lovedthat he was associated with the Olympics. Loved his relationship with my Dad. What a pair. Always happy, always making people feel good. I will never forget how when my Dad was in the hospital and we were outside taking a break. me, Debbie, Annette, maybe Len, and Uncle Vinny was so funny keeping the mood light in a time of sorrow. I will always thank him for that. I also remember being a kid and riding my bike from Livingston to Roseland to that kickass house him and Aunt Jo had next to the park. I loved that house. It was so warm and friendly. And the backyard was beautiful. The bridge and the garden and the little playhouse. The two of them were so much fun to be around. And then they take in 2 beautiful children who needed a home with love. Two great new cousins. What a blessing. So even though Uncle Vinny is now with my Dad, his wife, and all the other people who passed before him, I will always remember him with a smile!

Doug and Joli Toth and Family made a donation to

We are very sorry to hear about your loss. From our family to yours, our most heartfelt sympathies.

Diane and Ralph Marino made a donation to

During this difficult time I would like to extend my most heartfelt sympathies. If you need a friend to help you through this, you know who to call.