Vincent Tomasini

Vincent Tomasini, Jr. (Vince) passed from this life October 17, 2011 at the age of 83, after a long battle with cancer. He spent his life in service to his family and country. The son of Italian immigrants and youngest of 8, he entered service at the age of 17. He served 23 years in the United States Air Force. A veteran of WWII, Korea, Vince met and married fellow Air Force member, Frances Ann Cline Tomasini, in 1964; they remained married for 47 years. After leaving the Air Force in1969, he continued to serve the people of his country as a member of the Illinois Bureau of Prisons. Upon graduating from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Criminal Justice, he went on to serve 20 years as an employee of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

After retirement, he began yet another chapter of service as a volunteer with the Veteran Administration. With over 14,000 hours of volunteer time and over 300,000 miles transporting veterans to and from medical center, he was inducted into the Order of Kentucky colonels for his unwavering service to the veterans of that state.

A lifetime member of the NRA and the DAV, he has also been a member of the Retired Enlisted Men’s Association, NCO Association, American Legion, Illinois State Police Association, VFW, Office of Special Investigation Association and the SIU Alumni Association. He and his wife are members of the First Assembly of God in Kingsport, Tn.

He was preceded in death by parents Vincent Tomasini and Emma Zinona Tomasini, brother, Sam Endrizzi, and sisters Emma Endrezzi, Ann Endrizzi Adams, Barbara Endrizzi Adams, and Carmella Endrizzi Reass. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years Frances Cline Tomasini, daughter, Marie Tomasini Henry and son in law Jeff Henry, grandchildren Jared, Megan, and Marissa Henry, siblings Nick Endrizzi, Mary Endrizzi Springhetti, special niece Renee Gray “2daughter”, several special in laws Gary and Mary Larson, Brytha Lee and John H. Lee, Jean Belcher, and Bobby Cline, and many other nieces and nephews.

The family will be accepting friends at East Lawn Funeral Home, Thursday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service at 7:00 p.m. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Mountain Home Veterans Cemetery in Johnson City, Tn. Friday at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please visit us at www.eastlawnkingsport.com to place a condolence to the Tomasini family.

Arrangements under the direction of East Lawn Funeral Home, Kingsport, TN.