Vincent L. Augustine

Albany - Augustine, Vincent L. “Billy”, “Vinny”, “Augie”, “Vince” died peacefully at home, the evening of Wednesday, March 10, 2021. He was the beloved son of, and predeceased by, Vincent L. Augustine, Sr. and Mary Buckley Augustine. He is survived by his sons, William (Joelle) and Vincent (May) Augustine; his grandchildren, Stephen, Sarah, Jaivic, and Arn Augustine; his siblings, Tom Augustine and Kathie (Edward) Lyons; nieces, Tee (Mike) Osgood, Kaitlyn (Mark) Zamzam; nephews, George (Carrie), Joe (Janelle), and Nicholas Lyons. His brother, Ben, and sister-in-law, May Phillips, predeceased him. “Augie” was a proud lifetime member of the International Brotherhood of Ironworkers, Local 12. He bravely worked the high steel until he was paralyzed, on his left side, during surgery for a brain tumor, and subsequent stroke, in January of 1988. Despite his limitations, and numerous, subsequent health crises, Vinny kept a calm demeanor and never complained. He had many friends, whom he kept in touch with through the magic of Facebook, as well as his neighbors at Bleecker Terrace, many of whom became family: Gail Lee Johnson, his next door neighbor who cooked for him and “kept an eye” on things, Terri Tarullo, his neighbor down the hall, who also cooked for him and called in a “need anything” as she went by; and Sally Smith, who made house calls for a haircut and a shave to keep him looking and feeling good; and Rob Johnson who was always there when called upon, just to name a few. Until his most recent illness, Vinny enjoyed having a couple/three Budweisers, while spending Saturday afternoons kibitzing at the Polish American Citizens’ Club; leisurely lunches with Colleen John, Patti Duff, and Tillie Martin at Shawn P’s and Martel’s at Capital Hills; and, weather permitting, long, leisurely, Sunday afternoons at Burden Lake wrapping up the day with Kay’s Pizza. Vinny worked hard to maintain his independence and was able to, until his neck was broken in a CDTA STAR Bus accident in September of 2018. He spent a year in Rosewood Rehab, against our will, and, against all odds, was able to return to his apartment in August of 2019, with home care assistance. In November of 2020, his COPD flared up into pneumonia and, he, once again, unnecessarily, landed in a nursing home because the "powers that be" could not fathom him being able to live independently. It was a fight to the finish, for over a month, before he was discharged home. His health continued to decline through the holidays but, through the godsend of Lindsay Sifflett of All Metro Healthcare and Community Hospice of Albany County, all of his medical needs and personal care were lovingly provided, and taken care of, at home and, ultimately, in his own bed.. There are no words to adequately express our love and thanks to Jazzmin Jenkins and Cameera Hood, two angels of God, who were, and still are, there for us, in a big way ~ huge ~ through these last few months, in so many ways, over and beyond the call of duty. You have our undying gratitude. We are eternally grateful. Vinny didn’t like being treated as if he was “disabled” and he hated people “looking at him”. He didn’t like it then and he wouldn’t want it now. No formal services will be held. His Facebook profile is still active, to be memorialized, so please, leave a note if you’re so inclined ~ who really knows if he has internet access! A remembrance will be planned, when Covid allows and the weather gets warmer, perhaps at “Camp”, his “summer place to be”. Until then, I truly hope there is “a better place” and that he arrived sans wheelchair. He certainly earned it.

Vincent L. Augustine

January 3, 1946 - March 10, 2021