Vincent Anthony Furfaro

3/13/1936– 6/27/2025

“There's something wild about you, child,

that’s so contagious. Let's be outrageous.

Let's misbehave!”

-Cole Porter

With full hearts and fond memories, we celebrate the life of Vincent Anthony Furfaro who passed away peacefully on 6/27/25 at the age of 89. A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, artist, and lifelong mischief-maker, he filled the world with love, creativity, and his own special spark that illuminated the hearts and lives of all who loved him.

He is predeceased by his wife Alice, his son Vinny and his siblings Dr. Dominick Raso, Geraldine Stevens, and Rose Mason. He is survived by his siblings Anthony Raso and Angie Smith (Wayne), as well as his children David Furfaro (Dawn), Gary Furfaro (Liz), Kimberly Vargo (Pete), Tom Furfaro (Ann), Lisa Lobdell (Tim), Christopher Furfaro, and Amy Lamash (Mark).

Born to Italian immigrant parents, Catherine Serafino and John Furfaro in Verplanck, NY, Vinny could oft be found rabble rousing with one of his five siblings and many friends or exploring the banks of the Hudson River.

He had a true gift with children, both in the classroom and in life. As a teacher, he didn’t just teach—he captivated his students’ hearts and minds. He turned lessons into adventures and inspired students not just to learn, but to engage their imaginations and creativity— to think outside, under, and around the box. His classroom featured giant barge rope nets strung from the ceiling to display artwork and a wall of tools that were used to deconstruct a collection of old typewriters, computers, and the like. He was known for being able to reach even the most difficult kids, and his classroom became a haven for those otherwise overlooked, who thrived under his care and unconventional approach.

Forever a kid at heart, Vinny brought playfulness and creativity into everything he did. Spoons became catapults and telephone wires transformed into sculpting materials. He loved paddling down the river in his canoe, collecting driftwood, lost fishing lures, and old bottles and turning them into wild sculptures that still decorate the banks of the Hudson and Delaware rivers. He saw treasure where others saw trash, and made art and beauty from whatever he found in his vicinity- be it driftwood and river rocks on the shore, or old jars and marbles scavenged from the dump.

He was a proud and active member of the Masonic Brotherhood and a longtime member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society. He expressed his love for drama and storytelling on stage through Playback Theatre, where he brought people’s stories to life with heart, humor, and various wild antics.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Alice, whom he adored. Together they created a life filled with love and laughter, where they were surrounded by multitudes of friends and family. They enjoyed traveling to see their 8 children, 19 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, and brought fun, liveliness and unbounded love with them wherever they went.

To know Vinny was to love him. Whether he was inspiring chaos and creativity among his many grandchildren, building sculptures along the river, or helping a student find their own inner spark, he left unbridled creativity, joy, and love in his wake.

A wake will be held at Carter’s Funeral Home in Montrose, NY on July 1st from 4-8pm, and a funeral mass will be held on July 2nd at St. Patrick’s Church in Verplanck, NY. All are welcome to come honor a man who taught us not just how to learn, but how to create, play, and love.