Congresswoman Tenney Celebrates the Life of late Broome County Resident, Vincent Augostini
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) this week delivered a speech on the Floor of the House of Representatives celebrating the life of late Broome County resident, Vincent Augostini, who passed away on January 27, 2022, at the age of 42, due to complications from neurofibromatosis.
“Vince” as his friends and family called him, was born in Johnson City on September 7, 1979, and spent his whole life in the Southern Tier of New York. Vince was a quintessential upstate New Yorker—a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, New York Football Giants, and chicken spiedies, a Binghamton specialty.
Vincent Augostini also frequently donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation of Central New York after having been granted a wish earlier in his life. He is survived by his mother Dolores, who dedicated her life to caring for him, as well as his siblings Lorraine, Christopher, Patricia Ann, Andrea, Tom, and Louis.
A full video of Tenney’s remarks is available here.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I rise today to remember and celebrate Vincent Augostini, who lost his life due to complications from Neurofibromatosis on January 27, 2022.
“Vince”, as his friends and family called him, was born in Johnson City, New York, on September 7, 1979. He was the seventh child of his mother Dolores and father Louis.
Vince was a quintessential upstate New Yorker. He LOVED New York and especially the Southern Tier, where he spent his entire life in his cherished hometown of Johnson City.
Vince enjoyed all things New York, from our terrific sports teams to our delicious and unique regional food choices. He loved rooting for the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He savored hearty chicken spiedies, a Binghamton specialty, and enjoyed extra crispy Buffalo chicken wings.
When he was not watching the Yankees or the Giants, Vince was a huge fan of professional wrestling.
However, few things brought him as much joy as following the NY Yankees. God loves Yankees fans!
Decked out in Yankees gear, with a large Yankees logo displayed proudly on the back window of his van, Vince made several sacred trips from Johnson City to the Bronx, to watch his beloved ‘Bronx Bombers’ play.
For his 34th birthday, Vince trekked to the Bronx to watch the Yankees take on their biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox.
Before the game, Vince had the special honor of being escorted onto the field at Yankee Stadium. He continued to attend every Saturday home game at Yankee Stadium until his declining health made the travel impossible.
But the one thing Vince cherished the most in the world was his devoted and loving family. As the youngest of seven siblings, the Augostini siblings were a source of mutual love, support and inspiration to each other.
From family reunions to holidays and birthdays, Vince spent countless hours with his family, especially his mother Dolores, with whom he shared a special bond.
As Vince’s health inevitably continued to decline, Dolores devoted her life to providing him with loving care. The relationship Vince and his mother shared was the epitome of unconditional love. And even when his health began to deteriorate rapidly, Vince was more worried about his mother than even about himself.
In his final moments on earth and as his family tearfully expressed emotional and final goodbyes, Vince mouthed the words “Please help mom” to his brothers.
Vince was selfless. His courage in the face of his lifelong and difficult battle to fight a lifelong and terribly debilitating disease is beyond inspiring. And most importantly, despite all the pain he endured throughout his life, he was unwavering in his compassion and care for all those who he encountered.
Vince was forever grateful to the kindness of the Make-A-Wish foundation. Vince was the 500th wish kid chosen from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central, New York. And, in November 1997, Vince had the amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity to bring his brothers and father to Chicago to meet Bulls’ star Michael Jordan.
Vince was truly generous at heart and wanted to make sure other children got the same opportunity, which is why he was a frequent donor to the Make-A-Wish foundation of Central New York, as well as the Neurofibromatosis Foundation.
Vince spent most of his last two years at the Willow Point Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. However, this did not stop him from doing what he loved – watching sports and eating spiedies and chicken wings.
The Augostini family expresses their immense appreciation for the staff at Willow Point for the loving care that was provided to Vince through his final days on earth. When the pandemic restrictions prohibited visitors, the staff at Willow Point made extraordinary efforts to ensure that Vince was treated as a family member and had constant virtual access to his own family at home.
Sadly, Vince passed away on January 27, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Although Neurofibromatosis created many challenges for Vince, he refused to let his disability affect his spirits or his passion for life. He never let the disease define him. Vince will always be remembered by his infectious smile, charming sense of humor, and zest for life.
As President Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end, it’s not the years in life that count, it’s the life in your years.” In the short 42 years of his life, Vince made every single day count. He lived every day with kindness and gratitude. Vince’s perseverance and tenaciousness were an inspiration to his family, friends and all who were lucky enough to meet him.
I ask that all of my colleagues join me in observing a moment of silence to remember the incredible life of Vincent Augostini.
*Pause*
And to the Augostini family, please know we send you our deepest condolences and prayers. May Vince Rest In Peace.
Thank you, I yield back.
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