Herbert Leonard Vincent

Surrounded by his adoring family, Herbert (known to many as "Herb" or by his nickname "Dicky") died peacefully in hospital early on October 6, 2021, after suffering a massive stroke 10 days earlier. He was 87. Herbert will be missed by his loving wife Avil, to whom he was married for nearly 60 wonderful years. Their strong relationship was an inspiration to their children Wendy and Donovan, son-in-law Dave, daughter-in-law Heather Ann and grandchildren Evan, Caleb, Jackson and little Miles. Herbert was the youngest child of Vernon and Maude Vincent (nee Mitchell) and was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica. As a young man seeking adventure, Herbert, with support from his older sister Olive, travelled overseas from his home to London, England, in the 1950s. While living there he befriended fellow Jamaican expat David Christie, who would convince Herbert to switch his studies from accounting to an electrical apprenticeship, a pursuit David thought his pal was better suited to. Herbert would later flourish as an electrician, working in that trade in London, before migrating to Canada in 1966 on a Cunard Line steamship from Liverpool to Halifax Harbour with his wife and son. He soon secured employment for years with Canadian General Electric in Toronto. He later worked for appliance firm Inglis and afterward Signode, a producer and distributor of protective packaging systems. On the job, he worked on large, complex machinery but also had his own master electrician contracting business, providing expertise in apartments, houses and various businesses throughout Toronto and the GTA. Herbert worked with steely-eyed determination until issues were solved – sometimes getting impatient if someone he was working alongside couldn't spot the cause of the problem as quickly as he did. His tireless work ethic notwithstanding, Herbert also relished his time off and loved to travel. A year after coming to Canada, he and Avil drove to Montreal with son Donovan to take in the Expo 1967 World's Fair in Montreal. Nine years later, Herbert was back in Montreal with family members for the 1976 Olympic Games. And when Vancouver hosted Expo '86, Herbert jumped on a plane and flew there too. Other trips included regular summer visits with his family to relatives in New York City and upstate New York, as well as local favourites Niagara Falls and Sauble Beach and many return trips to Jamaica. Herbert will be remembered as a devoted and loving father and husband, and grandfather, a role model, a caring man who was a fierce debater. He loved listening intently to different points of view and learning about the life experiences of the people he encountered. Conversations about politics, current affairs and racial justice were vitally important to him. He also enjoyed music, particularly jazz and reggae, took ballroom dance lessons and was a Toronto Blue Jays devotee. One of his passions was spending time at home doing renovations and repairs, as well as patiently tending to the flowers and vegetables in his garden, showing off his tulips, peonies, tomatoes and green beans to his visitors. Herbert was also in his element as a longtime member of the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), a charter organization of the Jamaican diaspora active in fundraising, social events and community programing. He was also a lifelong member of the Prince Hall of Mason's Eureka Lodge, a fellowship of Black Canadian and Caribbean masons, where he dedicated years of volunteer service in leadership roles with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge charity, including as treasurer and worshipful master and grand treasurer. As part of his Eureka Lodge responsibilities, Herbert, known as "Brother Vincent", hosted several annual fundraising barbeques and participated in multiple member events that provided travel opportunities, often accompanied by Avil and Wendy. These included many destinations throughout Canada, the US and the Caribbean. He attended St. Cyprian's and St. Andrew's Anglican Churches in North York. He was predeceased by brothers Rudolph and Herman and sisters Ena and Olive, and daughter Angela. He also leaves daughter Jennifer. The Vincent family would like to thank the caring staff in Sunnybrook and Cortellucci Vaughan Hospitals' critical care units.

A visitation for Herbert will be held Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes, 8088 Yonge Street, Thornhill. A funeral service will occur Thursday, October 14th, from 1 to 2 p.m., also at Kane-Jerrett, 8088 Yonge Street, Thornhill. Family requests that attendees 12 years of age and older be fully vaccinated. The funeral service will be live streamed at: https://bit.ly/3lrU7wF. A graveside service is planned immediately afterward from 2:30 to 3 p.m. at Westminster Cemetery, 5830 Bathurst Street, North York.

Donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army.