Vincent Arthur Jermainne of Old Saybrook, formerly of Chester, passed away peacefully with a smile on his face November 9, 2018 with his family by his side. He was born April 19, 1921 at 123 West Main St. in Chester and had a zest for life from the very start. He often told stories of his youthful adventures including fishing and swimming in Ruddies Pond, by taking his bike from Chester to visit his family as far away as New Haven and maybe his greatest adventure of skipping high school on September 21, 1938, the day of the ‘38 Hurricane demolished most of L.I. Sound in the Connecticut coastline. Why would Vincent spend time in a boring math class when he could ride out the storm and his 20 ft motorboat. That turned out to be a senior skip day Vincent would never forget. Vinny had a knack for turning each and every ordinary day into an adventure.
Vinny spent his life mostly in Chester and with various occupations ranging from town crew and New Haven Rail Road to becoming an apprentice learning the tool and die trade at Marlin Arms Factory. When WW II broke out Vincent had a deferment since he was producing rifles for the U.S. Military however, he was determined to serve. He volunteered to join the United States Navy and was stationed in New York, Norfolk, VA, San Diego, CA and the Pacific theater. He was very proud of the time he spent in the Navy accumulating hundreds of stories he shared over the years.
October 9, 1945 he married his sweetheart Elizabeth Koch. After returning home he began to work at the Bates Knitting Needle Factory, but being ever restless he did not stay long. He always wanted to be his own boss and control his destiny. Between 1945 and 1965 he tried all sorts of things including construction business, a garage, and a waste removal business. He was a skilled Tool and Die Maker and never had trouble finding work and spent many years at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. Vincent was also an artist and a woodworker. In 1965 he put those talents to use and started Jermainne Novelties with his wife and father in their kitchen and by 1972 they were in a 2000 sqft building with 8 employees shipping products all over the country. The business continue to grow and change until he and Betty retired in 1987.
Vincent enjoyed many hobbies and making friends wherever he went. While boating and exploring the L.I Sound he had a knack for navigating and was always the lead boat getting all the other boats through thick fog or the black night during occasional evening cruise. He gradually moved over to antique cars having loved the model T Ford‘s he had growing up among. He was able to restore in rework anything he laid his hands on and he and Betty enjoyed years of belonging to serval car clubs and enjoying numerous tours with many of their friends they met.
After retirement, Vinny and Betty spent winters in Thonontosassa, FL where they once again made many friends. He lived each and every day of his 97 1/2 years to the fullest. Vinny is predeceased by his wife and is survived by his daughter Candice Dopp and her husband Douglas of Centerbrook, Robert Jermainne of Chester, Brian Jermainne and his wife Leslie of Old Saybrook and his son Kevin Jermainne and his wife Randee of Chester. His 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren Kevin Dopp and his and his partner Christine Mayes and their daughter Ava and son Carter, Britney Jermainne and her son Dominic, Ben Jermainne, Abby Jermainne and Brian Jermainne. Dad we all thank you for taking care of us and showing us how to leave a happy life. You will be missed, but we know that in heaven you are the life of the party and still enjoy each and every day.
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