Lori,

Just found out and wanted to send my condolences to you and your family.  I was a brand new 2nd LT in June of 1983 and walked into my room at Ft. Lee, Virginia and saw John's smiling face for the first time.  I was so lucky to have a friend like John be there with me through all of the ups and downs of being away and working in our first real jobs together.  He was with me pretty much every day until we got out of OBC and then we took to the road to Ft. Benning for another adventure at Airborne school.  Although we spent pretty much every day of that first six months in the Army together we never got sick of one another and I only wish that I had done a better job of keeping in contact with him over the years.  I can tell you, however, that he is ALWAYS the first one I think of when I let my mind wander back to those very formitive years.  Best of luck to you all,and John will always have a special place in my heart.

This really is heartbreaking news…John and I were  friends  and baseball teammates at DJO, and maintained that friendship through our collegiate years.  We shared lots of good times and laughs--and many a pizza--over those years.    

You could learn a lot from John.  Even back then he had a strong sense of values. His Catholic faith, his Italian heritage, his sense of patriotism, and his love of family were all clearly established in him--at an age when many are apathetic or rebellious.  

John was well-respected and liked by everyone who knew him--from geeks to jocks.  This was a strong man, and a gentleman--a true prince of a guy.

My heart goes out to Lori, Michael And Christopher.

Know that John will be remembered fondly by many, and our prayers are with you.

Dear Lori:

So sorry to hear about your loss.  John was a great guy.  We went to the Mount together.  I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Annette DeCesaris, C'83

Lori, best wishes to you and your family in your hard time.  John and I were classmates at the Mount.  He was a solid young man who made his way along with a friendly grin and kind soul.  His life beyond the Mount, with our armed forces and with the family you built with him, is a great victory.  May your joy and pride in the achievements you shared ease your pain at his passing.   Sincerely, Chuck Quackenbush

Lori--Dr. Nguyen was kind enough to let me know about your loss--I have been asking him about you since you left.  I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you.  I'm so sorry.  I know it's been a long haul for all of you.

I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to John's family for the tragic of loss  of John.  I met John freshman year in H.S. and became good friends.  We later attended the same college together at Mt. St. Mary's.  We played together on every intramural team together,  were each others workout partners in the gym for 4 years and had more that our fair share of beers together.   There are not that many men that I have met that I can say possessed the character that John had.  He was truly a great guy in every sense of the word.   I have little doubt that he was equal or better as a husband and a father.   Truth be told it was just last week I was thinking back about some of the times back at the Mount we had.... Life and time are short no matter how long we are here,  and John's passing only reinforces that thought.  

May God Bless all of you and may the pain of the loss be shortened by the joy of all of your memories of him.

Collin Goddard

Lori and family,  
I heard of your loss yesterday and wanted to send my thoughts and prayers.  Like Joe, Rady and others I was part of a group that grew up with John and spend much of my elementary and high school years with John.  We figured out how to survive the nuns together, played football in the valley every day, hung out in his (your) basement, talked about cars, ran off the road in the blue camero, had a few beers from time to time, ate a lot of Mario's pizza late at night, and grew up together in an amazingly special place.  John loved baseball and played on a McLean Little League team my Dad was the assisant coach for.  When the head coach was out of town my Dad started him as catcher which he loved to play.  I will remember John as someone who touched my life with his honesty, integrity, and joy.  My thoughts are with you and your family.

Dear Lori, Michael and Chris, I was so saddened to hear the news about "Viggy" your wonderful husband and father. It's been many years since we last spoke, and I'm sorry for that, but he was a very big part of my life beginning in 7th grade at St. Johns, in high school at O'Connell, and throughout college during which there were a number of memorable visits to see him at the Mount.  Recalling all the great memories from those years, I echo all the sentiments expressed in many of the comments already posted.  He will be truly missed as he made such a big impact on so many, but thankfully we know he is in a better place and will continue to guide and influence all of our lives.   My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.  God Bless.

Lori, Michael and Christopher,
We are sending our prayers and thoughts from across the miles.  We will always remember the very special visits we have had over the years in Richmond, Tenn., and D.C.  May God continue to wrap his loving arms around you three during this difficult time.  We love you,  Joanne, John, Cara & Cameron (Cinti., Oh)

Lori and family -  I just heard this morning of John's passing from another high school friend, and was stunned by the news.  Please accept my prayers and condolences.  John, who his inner high school circle called "Viggy", was a very good friend through grade school and high school.  We socialized often and spent endless hours playing sports, talking about girls, and growing up.  VIggy had a great sense of humor, had incredible leadership qualities and was a loyal friend.  We lost touch after he joined the military and I am so sorry we were not able to connect through the years.  VIggy was a huge part of my teenage life that I will never forget.  As he joins his parents in heaven, I have no doubt he is smiling down on all those who he so positively touched through his life.

To John's family - I went to grade school at St. Johns in McLean and then HS at O'Connell with John.  I am so very sorry for your loss.  I hadn't seen him in many many years, but I remember him as a sweet, quiet and gentle man.  My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

To Lori and the boys , my thoughts and prayers are with you. May John memories comfort you. Love you!

To John's wife and daughters,
John was one of my best friends in grade school at St. John's in McLean. For 2 or 3 years, every morning we would put up the American Flag at the main school flagpole, and we took great pride in it.  I played a lot of neighborhood football and other games with John.  He was a great friend, great sense of humor and very kind.  I did not keep in close touch with him as we went to different high schools and our different ways, but my friendship with him is one of my fondest memories of my middle school years.  I am not surprised at the very high quality husband, father, and person he turned out to be.  God bless each of you and all his close friends and relatives as you deal with this loss, and God rest his soul.

Lori, Michael & Christopher, my prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. My deepest condolences.

I enjoyed keeping stats for John when he coached baseball teams. Always great to talk baseball and kids with him. Lori, Mike and Chris, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Bryan

An extraordinarily calm, compassionate and dedicated person. I looked forward to each day to interact with John at work. I am extremely saddened by his passing. My deepest condolences to Lori and the boys.

 Lori, Michael and Christopher,
I worked with your husband and father; he was a true friend more than a co-worker. I will miss the daily Redskins family, and everyday life conversations  we had .John was a man of God and he demonstrated that daily with his employees through his  kindness and understanding of people.  He is resting with God now looking down at you guys still providing love, wisdom and protection of his family. God will bless you during these times of difficulty 
Martin Brown

LTC (Ret.) Vignali taught me a lot about being a professional and being a leader while I was in his branch. I am very sorry.

My thoughts and prayers are with you the family during this time.

I'm very sorry for your tremendous loss.  I was fortunate to have worked with John in the Army BRAC office. I remember his quiet competence, ready smile and laugh, patience with his staff and coworkers, and leadership. He will be greatly missed.

OBITUARY

Joseph John Vignali

December 8, 1960 – February 19, 2013

Murphy Funeral Homes

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