Vincent Michael Annunziata

OBITUARY for VINCENT MICHAEL ANNUNZIATA (April 10, 1935 – May 6, 2020)

Vincent Michael Annunziata of Cochecton passed away peacefully on May 6, 2020, surrounded by his family. He died of complications following cancer surgery. He had recently celebrated his 85th birthday with a virtual party of family and friends.

Vince was born and raised in Brooklyn, in the middle of a huge extended Italian family. Navigating family events helped him develop enough charm to escape parental punishment, even after lining up Christmas ornaments (sent from an uncle living in Europe as a special gift to his mother, no less) on a wall and blasting each one with his BB gun. He was a good shot. He, his sister Alvera, and his many cousins enjoyed summers at Candlewood Knolls in Connecticut where they participated in swimming competitions. He was a champion swimmer. 

Vince graduated from St. John’s University in Queens. It was there he met the love of his life and wife of 60 years, Suzanne. In 1966, after having too many children to comfortably fit in a NYC apartment, Vince and Sue moved to Cochecton. They soon had too many children (9!!) to comfortably fit in the house. However, despite having only one bathroom for many years, the family flourished. It was a house filled with affection, laughter, playfulness, curiosity, and dirty dishes. We will miss his smile, his sense of humor, his reasoned advice, his faith in us, his love, and his warm and wonderful hugs. We will also miss watching old movies and westerns with him late at night while sharing his secret stash of junk food.

Vince was blessed with life-long friendships. He had dear friends who helped build joyful memories, helped rebuild his house after a fire, helped care for his family in times of need, and helped him rebuild a life after losing his beloved wife. He cherished his regular outings with old  friends for golf, lunch, or dinner. He loved the companionship of fellow explorers during his RV adventures.

Vince was a purchaser for Western Electric, General Slicing, and the Callicoon Job Corps before opening a Duraclean International franchise in 1978. He and his son Craig built the business into the rug-cleaning business recently voted Best Carpet Cleaning by River Reporter readers. Craig continues to run it today. Vince also worked numerous part-time jobs to support his ever-growing family. These jobs were as varied as slinging chicken at Chicken Delight in NYC to walking the floor as Manager of Sullivan’s Department store in Liberty.

He was a long-time member of Holy Cross Church. He was past board member of the Delaware Youth Center, where he served as President for a time. He also served as head of the Conservative Party of Cochecton.

His greatest achievement was the loving and large family he and wife Sue created. One of his greatest joys was sitting in the middle of the loud chaos created by his children and their spouses, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren, all trying to be more entertaining than the next.

His death is preceded by his beloved wife Suzanne, his sister Alvera, his parents Dr. Vincent and Dorothy Annunziata, and his grandson Adam Loarca. He is survived by: daughter Elizabeth (Randy) Hill of Boise, ID; son James (Jackie) Annunziata of Denver, CO; son Craig Annunziata of Cochecton; daughter Kathleen (Paul) Nicolaides of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Suzanne (Jay) Wolff of Nolensville, TN; daughter Eileen (Michael) Crum of Milanville, PA; daughter Patricia (Luis) Loarca of Findlay, OH; daughter Dianne (David) Barber of John’s Creek, GA; daughter Maureen Annunziata of Roswell, GA; granddaughter Jennica (Adam) Hill/Kolojejchick-Kotch of Atlanta, GA; granddaughter Olivia Hill of Boise, ID; grandson Nathan (Sara) Bucar and his daughter Ella of Arvada, CO; granddaughter Christine Martinez (of Denver, CO), her son Donovan (Karen) Martinez and his sons Donovan, Jr. and Vincent of Palisades Park, NJ; grandson Joshua Wolff of Nolensville, TN; granddaughter Dr. Chelsea (Ian) Wolff Haas of Chattanooga, TN; granddaughter Shannon Crum of State College, PA; granddaughters Samantha and Katie Crum of Milanville, PA; grandson Thomas Loarca and granddaughter Maggie Loarca of Findlay, OH; granddaughter Ava Barber and grandson Daniel Barber of John’s Creek, GA; niece Pamela Gardner (of Tarpon Springs, FL), her daughter Breanna Chron, and Breanna’s son Brian of Palm Harbor, FL; and niece Genie Kane of Austin, TX.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA for taking such good care of their father during his final weeks and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vince’s body will be cremated and buried in East Cochecton Cemetery when permitted. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Delaware Youth Center, 8 Creamery Road, PO Box 354, Callicoon, NY 12723 or to Holy Cross Church, 9719 State Route 97 P.O. Box 246 Callicoon, New York 12723.

As Dad said, he lived a good life.

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