Vincent John DiRienzo

Vincent John DiRienzo, age 85, passed away on Thursday, May 09, 2024, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Born in Boston on March 20, 1939, he was the son of John and Antoinette (Pucillo) DiRienzo. Vinny was raised on Beech Street in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston along with his siblings. As a youth he enjoyed baseball and spending time with his friends. After Vinny graduated from Roslindale High School in 1956, he went to work in the auto parts industry, learning what was needed to keep the different makes and models running.

In 1962, Vinny enlisted in the United States Army, proud to serve his country. He travelled to Fort Dix in New Jersey for Basic Training, before moving to Fort Hood in Texas. When President Kennedy wanted to prove to the Soviets that the United States would support West Germany, Vinny was one of the many sent overseas to be stationed there.

Upon his honorable discharge, Vinny returned home to Roslindale and resumed working in the auto parts industry. Vinny missed spending time with his friends from his neighborhood and would often gather together to laugh and catch up. A chance encounter befriending a neighbor's visiting granddaughter, Connie Sinopoli, would lead to a lifetime of love for Vinny. After being invited to attend Connie's college prom with her as friends, Vinny could not help but fall in love with the lovely and bright young woman. On November 18, 1972, Vinny married the love of life, Constance Ann Sinopoli, at Saint Andrew the Apostle Church in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Boston.

Now married, Vinny and Connie made their forever home together in a cozy cape in Medfield and Vinny continued working in the auto parts industry. He worked in Roslindale, Hyde Park, and eventually settled into a position at Glynn Auto Parts in Attleboro, as Manager.

Although Vinny enjoyed retirement, he missed working and eventually took a position as a driver for assisted living communities in Westwood and later in Dedham. The residents loved him. Vinny had the kind of personality that made him larger than life, always making friends wherever he went. He loved to spend time with his family and his friends. While Vinny and Connie didn't have children of their own, they had plenty of nieces and nephews that were like their own children. Vinny loved being an uncle and delighted in being a part of his nieces’ and nephews’ lives, also being a godfather to several of them.

In his free time, Vinny loved to relax with his beloved wife and their families. Vinny was in love with his wife always holding her hand and keeping her close. He enjoyed any time he could have with her, whether it was an ice cream date, or a nice long cruise in the car. While not a huge football fan himself, Vinny loved watching the games with Connie, rolling with laughter when she would get excited and animated, enjoying her reactions more than the sport itself. Connie was Vinny's true love, but food was a close second. Vinny also enjoyed traveling, whether it was local to watch the boats on Lake Massapoag in Sharon, or far away to England or the Bahamas. He enjoyed relaxing to classical music at home and at the Symphony. And for Vinny, everything was better with a friend, making new ones everywhere he went and cherishing the many friends he had made along the way.

Beloved Husband of Constance Ann "Connie" DiRienzo

Cherished Brother of Mary Halloran, and her late husband Frank, of West Roxbury, and the late Joseph DiRienzo and his wife Helene; and Brother-in-law of Phyllis Thoms, and her husband Norman, of Hanover, John Sinopoli, and his wife Marianne, of Brewster.

Loving Uncle of John Halloran, and his wife Lisa, of Burlington, Frank Halloran, and his wife Liz, of Walpole, Karen Cedrone, and her husband Jerry, of West Roxbury, John DiRienzo, and his wife Mary, of Woburn, Maryann Locke, and her husband Jim, of Pelham, New Hampshire, Joseph DiRienzo of Woburn, Donna Grasso, and her husband Dane, of Foxborough, Paula Alker of West Yarmouth, Denise DiRienzo of West Roxbury, Vincent DiRienzo, and his wife Linda, of Watertown, Diane DiRienzo of Woburn, Michael DiRienzo, and his wife Denise, of West Roxbury, Christine Lynch, and her husband William, of Norwell, Norman Thoms, and his wife Karen, of Colchester, Connecticut, Mark Thoms of Weymouth, Niki Fein, and her husband Corey, of Arlington, Gianna Sinopoli of Cape Cod, as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Also survived by his many friends, including Joey Moscaritolo, Tommy Joseph, and Danny Frigugliett, who Vinny has been best friends with since they were knee high.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Vinny's Life Celebration on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, at 9:30 AM prior to Vinny's Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated at 11:00 AM in Saint Joseph's Church, 151 Village Street in Medway. Interment will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Vinny's name may be made to Parkinson's Foundation at 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131 or by visiting https://www.parkinson.org/ and selecting 'Donate' and then 'Tribute Gift'.