Vini Short

Vincent (Vini) Joseph Short, 72, devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully at his home in Sterling, Va., on the morning of Oct. 4, 2025, with his children and his wife by his side.

Vini was born Sept. 23, 1953, in Baltimore, Md.; the second to oldest of six boys, including Allen Short, David Short, Kenneth Short, Gregory Short (deceased) and Bradley Short. His maternal grandfather was an owner of Pimlico Racetrack. His mother, Helen Yvonne Miles Short and adopted father, William Porter Short moved to Reston, Virginia when he was in elementary school and they became the 7th family in Reston.

Vini dedicated his life to his family. He is survived by his wife, Jane DeShong Short and former wife Beth Moskowitz Short, and his beloved children and their families including his daughter Kristin Harman, son-in-law Mark Harman and children Brianne and Beckett; his adopted son Robson Marcondes, daughter-in-law Karen Marcondes and children Summer, Nathanael and Jonathan; his stepdaughter Jessica Burdick and children Audree and Amelia; his son, Joshua Short, daughter-in-law Phuong Short and their child Ezra; and stepdaughter Stephanie Killough and son-in-law Joel Killough and children Cora and Ava. A proud dad and grandpa, he lovingly called his family the “Brady Bunch” and loved and cared for all equally. He is also survived by his labrador retrievers, Maggie and Josie who come from a long line of beloved dogs who stood by his side and loved him completely and unconditionally.

He learned the trade of carpentry at a young age from several mentors in the business. He formed the Vincent J. Short Company and later he received his Class A Building License and started New Horizons Building and Designs. He was proud to have built many beautiful homes in Reston and Herndon, some for former professional football players and other notables. One of his mentors was the famous entrepreneur Oscar Roy Chalk who took Vini under his wing where he became like a son to him and the head of a team of workers in Washington, D.C.

Because of an experience he had when he was 18, where he and others saw and spoke with Jesus, he converted to Judaism in 1979 to be more like his savior. Throughout his life, he continued to faithfully tell the story of how Jesus came to him. He called himself, “the luckiest man who ever lived.”

Vini joined a Tae-Kwon-Do class after watching his son Josh participate and became a black belt. He started his own school, Our Do-Jang, in 1998, which continued until 2013. He didn’t charge money for his students to participate; he asked only that they have a heart to want to be there to learn. It was a family affair and all of his children and his wife, Jane, participated. His sons Josh and Rob also became black belts. His favorite saying when his girls went out was “Eyes, Throat, Groin” to remember how to protect themselves.

Joined by a mutual faith and love of God, Vini and Jane started a nonprofit in 2009 called DeShong's Gift Back (DGB) in the name of Jane’s parents, Dr. Robert and Mrs. Evelyn DeShong after they passed. DGB is a charitable 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based on the premise of sharing time and resources to better the lives of those in need. The mission is to supply fresh vegetables to food pantries, shelters, and churches and to organize teams of volunteers to repair homes for those who cannot afford to do so themselves. DGB, which they affectionately refer to as “doing God’s business” currently has two large organic vegetable gardens behind Sterling United Methodist Church and Galilee United Methodist Church in Sterling, Va. All of the produce is given to the local food pantries. Vini worked tirelessly for this mission and figured that this was training for the gardens he would be working on in heaven someday. The gardens have nourished thousands of individuals over the years.

Vini’s life was defined by his faith in God; he was a forceful witness for the power of Christ’s love. Vini put his faith into action, helping others with their faith, working in his gardens and preaching openly the word of God. He posted daily Facebook messages and people found solace, hope and understanding through his words (see: www.facebook.com/vini.short). The family finds comfort in knowing that Vini's legacy of faith, service, and love lives on through the lessons he taught us, the laughs we shared, and the memories we will cherish forever.

Vini enjoyed sharing his love of classic western films and shows with his children, and was always ready to put on an episode of Paw Patrol for his grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as “Guppy”. He never asked for gifts, only a refill of his beloved Peanut M&M’s and Dr. Pepper, which he often booby-trapped with chewed gum in the bottom of the bottle. He seldom missed a morning commute to McDonalds for his hotcakes and sausage, which was, perhaps, most appreciated by his two dogs, Maggie and Josie. He enjoyed spending time discussing and solving the world’s problems with his “Janie”, whose name is lovingly plastered between drywall and paint in many of the homes he worked on in Sterling, Reston and Herndon. The bell hanging in his F150 truck will undoubtedly “ding” again and again for another angel who now has their wings.

As he wrote to his son, Josh, “Every day of your life is preparing you for eternity with the Father and His Son. Each moment is a test — learn to use the gifts He has given you. Know that He is always watching; always with you — His Angels, His Love, His Son. Every time we fall, we fall for a reason — He will pick us up. Learn from all the moments! Most of all be loving, kind, understanding and forgive — yet be not blinded or forget the lesson of each day — for each day is filled with a lesson in some way or another. No matter what, do not give up faith and your salvation. Throughout your life Satan shall try to fool you and take you from Him — know faith in the Father, faith in Christ Jesus. Trust no matter what. You are always in His light.”

In lieu of flowers, Vini requested making a tax-deductible donation via Paypal on the DeShong’s Gift Back website at www.DeShongsGiftBack.org/donate.html.