Obituary of Kenneth LeRoy Vincent

Ken Vincent, 72, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 26, 2016. Ken was born in Albany, NY on July 10, 1943. After graduating from Colonie Central High School in 1961, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was trained in airplane HVAC and equipment repair. Discharged with the rank of Technical Sergeant after 4 years of service, Ken was transferred to the NYANG unit at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Schenectady, NY, where he proudly served with the 109th Airlift Wing for 23 years. Ken’s areas of expertise included maintaining the cold weather equipped cargo planes locally, in Greenland and in Antarctica. He was also credited for revamping the Guard Maintenance Facility. In civilian life Ken was employed by Technical Building Services of Ballston Spa, NY, as a Senior HVAC Sales Engineer until his retirement in 1998. He loved the outdoors; he was an avid hunter (including bow hunting) and fisherman. He was a travel enthusiast, visiting many of our National Parks, but his passion was flying. Ken was a licensed pilot, operating his own ultralight aircraft. Also, as a firefighter/EMT with the Mariaville Volunteer Fire Dept., over the years Ken was involved in numerous life-saving rescue operations. Ken was predeceased by his parents, George and Doris Anson Vincent and his beloved wife Joan. He leaves behind his best friend and brother Alan (Geri) Britain of Parker, CO, his loving and loyal friends Dave and Nancy Mesh of Burnt Hills and the Colacino family (Meredith, FJ, Jamie and Michael) of Schenectady. He is survived by brothers Robert Vincent of Cohoes, Dennis (Nina) Vincent of Troy, son Brian Vincent, daughter Debbie Evans, step children Matthew Moross and step-daughter Natalie Moross Eisenhower and their families. For more than a decade, the Pastors and members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Glenville and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Scotia have lovingly served as proxy family and dear friends to Ken. Their empathy and loving compassion flowed both ways. Ken’s friends and family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the 2nd Floor Staff at Capstone Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing for the tender care, support, devotion, tears and love shown to Ken throughout his stay there. At Ken’s request, there will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 547 Saratoga Rd. Glenville. Interment will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY. Also at Ken’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial Contributions in Ken’s name may be made to either the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd or to Alcoholics Anonymous of the Capital District, 11 Computer Dr. W #100, Albany, NY 12205