Vincent J Hartnett

The world has lost an incredible man today. Vince Hartnett was a man who loved his family and had a heart the size of the ocean. He was kind, generous, thoughtful and a great patriot who loved his country. Most importantly he had a deep and abiding faith in God. Vince was one of a kind. His sense of humor tickled your funny bone. He was so good hearted and gentle and filled with a positive energy and enthusiasm for life and an optimism that was contagious. If you had a problem he’d figure out a way to solve it. He was the kind of guy who could get anyone to believe in themselves. Once you met him you never forgot him because he loved people and they felt it.

He was born in Brooklyn and raised in Jersey City. Vince served in the Air Force during the Korean War as a radar specialist working with US and Canadian Air Defense Systems, a precursor to NORAD. After four years in the Air Force he attended NYU and started his career in broadcasting in West Virgina as a local TV weatherman. He worked in radio in Maryland and then went to WJLK in Asbury Park where he spent 20 years on the radio and as Program Director. He had a successful career in radio and cable television and started his own cable communications company. During that time he also acted, directed and produced plays for Community Theater. Music was a big part of his life, he especially loved Frank Sinatra. Vince was a Yankee fan, a baseball coach, a chess player, an avid swimmer and could play the piano. Vince had a true entrepreneurial spirit that thrived on meeting the next challenge and was successful at it, but most importantly he could always find the good in everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie Hartnett; children, Dave Hartnett and his wife Kristin of NJ, Michael Hartnett and his wife Christine of NJ, Elizabeth Koenig and her husband Darin of FL; six grandchildren, Taylor Gambacort, Ava Hartnett, Maguire Hartnett, Jack Hartnett, Storey Hartnett, Austen Koenig; his brother, John Hartnett and his wife Sally of NJ; and sister, Marjorie Giambalvo and her husband Bill of GA along with many loving nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his parents, Cornelius and Mary Jane Hartnett and his brothers, Cornelius and William.

His family and friends are forever grateful for the time they got to spend with him. His passing to a better place will leave many holes in people’s hearts, however the love for him will never fade.