For those of you that may have missed some of my euology from Vincent's funeral mass Friday;

I would like to start out today with a few words from JD Salinger that remind me of Vincent;

If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody.” 

Well, apparently JD Salinger never met Vince Coluzzi.  Vincent prided himself on always being on time and often told the story of how he waited around for his wife Ann on a street corner downtown one day, and as that swell looking girl walked up to him just a few minutes late, he turned around and left her there by herself.

For clarity, the reason I heard the story more than once, is because I have been late for Vincent on more than one occasion.  

While each and every one of us here today have been touched by his generosity, this story sort of explains Vincent.  After all, he was an equal opportunity offender.  I was convinced the man was on TRUTH SERUM.  He would say and do exactly what was on his mind. 

 I recall one summer day when I stopped by his Potomac home, and as I walked in through the patio doors he quickly locked the door and pulled the drapes closed.  I was confused because Paula, Nikki and Michael were all outside playing in the pool.  I looked over and he was giggling like a child at the fact that he just locked his grandchildren out of the house because they were messing with him….sooo they were not allowed in the house!

I would expect that most of us here today have experienced that sort of treatment from Vincent at one time or another in the course of our relationship with him.  
For me, knowing what a pain in the neck he had the potential to be about certain things, I found GREAT humor in this behavior.  

On the other hand, if you are like my wife Susan who believes that ““The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.”  you could easily take great offense to his behavior.  

At the end of the day, you had to know Vincent……… to get Vincent.

This brings me to the first of our 2 primary objectives for today;  

That’s right, even though he’s passed on to a better life, VINCENT HAS TASKED US WITH TWO JOBS TODAY;
1. WE HAVE TO movE this ceremony along so we can get to the party he is throwing for us back at his condo building.  
2. NO SNIFFLING FOR HIM.  He was quick to point out to me (and I quote;)  “I’m the one moving on to a better place...all you poor (pause)....people are still stuck down here with eachother, for God only knows how long!”

When I shared the news of the loss of my friend Vincent to one of my good friends Susan McNulty, who had the good fortune to know Vincent very well, she replied;   “I know Vincent is ready to meet his Maker, but clearly  St. Peter has no idea what he is in for.”

Mark Twain once said;
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”  
Vincent has always maintained that he’s ready to die whenever the good Lord wants to take him.  His faith in the Lord and absolute belief in an afterlife much better than what may experience here was unflappable. 

So, it’s important for each of us here to always know that he looks forward to the day he sees each of us once again in heaven. ..This time however, he won’t mind if we a little late.

Catherine and Paula,
I found out through David that Vince had passed and wanted you  to know how much he meant to me..I will never forget all the fabulous dinners ,the trip to Italy                                 
in search of his ancestry, only to find
that Coluzzi is a common name in Italy,
like Smith and we spent the entire day
at lunch on a beautiful mountainside...I 
had the most glorious wedding at the Coluzzi home in Bethesda and I will never forget all the beautiful memories that Vince left ...every 4th of July, every Thanksgiving and Christmas I had the opportunity of spending with him and his family for 13 years...the end of an era..a life well lived...I feel honored to have known such a lovely soul..Would love to hear from Catherine and Paula...theseal1582003@yahoo.com.

Much love and support
Patti Waters

Vince was such a kind and generous family friend. I have so many great memories of Vince and I'm so grateful that he and I got to talk recently about "the good ole times" in Mt. Pleasant. Catherine you and your family are in my prayers.

One of the most generous men I have ever met!  Would open his home to his daughter's friends and would even move out for the weekend to give us space!  Always great visiting him; especially at his restaurant in DC.  An all-around great guy who will be missed!

Rest In Peace ! Mr. Coluzzi...I will really miss that fluorescent yellow jacket you wore when you came to our office at tax time.
Cherwanda Oliver @ Michelle M. Biess CPA, PC

Lots of great memories with Vincent, but couple of highlights include the only two times I ever saw Vincent nervous:
1) My introduction to Vincent at the Capital Grille in D.C. when Catherine told Vincent to behave himself and not swear, drink too much or say anything about old boyfriends.....he continued to call me Michael for the next decade!
2) The birth of our first daughter Ann when in a state of panic he demanded to speak to Catherine over the phone immediately (she was in labor in the delivery room with birth imminent) and then proceeded to admonish her that this birth was ruining his plans for the three of us having dinner that evening in NY!

We'll miss you Granddaddy!

OBITUARIO

Vincent Coluzzi

30 noviembre, 1930 – 4 septiembre, 2011

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

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