Vincent Wojciechowski

Vincent "Vinny" Wojciechowski
July 1921 - February 2016
Vincent Wojciechowski, beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a big Duke Blue Devil fan, died on February 2nd, 2016. He is survived by his wife Laura, and four children (and spouses) Josephine (Robert) Vroman, Teresa (James) Matthews, David (Cathy) and Peter (Vicky) Wojciechowski.
Born in Lodz, Poland in 1921 and the youngest of seven children, he took on the role of provider after his father died in a house fire prior to his birth. As a young teenager, he worked on local farms and selling what he could to support the family. During WW II, he was taken by the Germans and forced to work in an Aluminum Smelting factory in Leipzig Germany. After several months, as the allies were getting closer (in April 1945), he planned an escape from the forced labor camp. Before he did so, he caused heavy damage by throwing a metal rod into the mechanical works of the factory. As the Germans were searching for him, he managed to make his way back to family in Poland by traveling at night and hiding in farm haystacks. At the war's end, Vincent worked for the US Army as a truck driver transporting remains of US Soldiers from various battle sites across Europe. Following this, he worked as an MP guarding a displaced persons relocation camp. After WWII, he was given the choice of returning back to Poland or leaving Europe for either Australia, South America or US. He immigrated to the United States and made his way to Sag Harbor, where he met his future wife Laura. He was married 3 months after meeting Laura in 1952, had four children and remained in Sag Harbor for close to 55 years. After retiring, he moved to Fort Mill South Carolina to be close to his daughter Teresa.
A chess aficionado and poker player, he spent long hours in the summer heat in the back yard of his home in Sag Harbor, pouring over a chess table with his friends, talking politics, and having the best summertime bar-b-que's, while the kids and grandkids played on the hammock. A long time employee of Bulova Watch Factory, and the estate of John McCulloch and George Segal in East Hampton, he tirelessly worked to support the family. Always a smile on his face, he took joy in fishing in local waters, making his chicken or tomato soup (both still tradition in the family) in the cold winter days, and being with his friends; especially the PNA (Polish National Alliance) in Southampton NY and the Knights of Columbus. He was always involved in his local church of St. Andrews in Sag Harbor NY and the Our Lady of Poland church in Southampton NY.
Vincent married Laura Lazarewicz more than 60 years ago. They had four children, Josephine Vroman of Oregon City, Oregon, Teresa Matthews of Fort Mill, SC, David of Carlsbad California, and Peter of Viera, Florida. He also took extreme pride in all of his grandchildren Tighe (35), Stacey (31), Morgan (24), Twins Mallory and Madison (22), Kristen (12), Max (5) and Great Grandchildren Aiden (11), Cameron (8), Quinn (5). Brendan (4) and Jordan (2).
He loved sports in general whether it was watching and supporting his kids playing elementary or High School baseball or basketball. He also was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox and collegiate basketball (Duke was a favorite)
Vincent never forgot his family in Poland. He would always send "care packages" back to his home country to help his family in communist Poland. He traveled back to his home country many times and often sponsored a nephew or cousin to come over and work with him during the summer.
In celebration of his life, the family is planning on (2) separate services; one in Fort Mill, South Carolina and one in Sag Harbor, New York. Visitation will be held at Saint Phillip Neri church located on Munn Road in Fort Mill SC at 9am on February 6th, 2016. Dad will then be transported to Yardley Funeral Home for visitation on February 8th, 2016 at 11am to 1pm followed by a short service and then laid to rest at Sacred Heart of Jesus & Mary Cemetery in Southampton NY.
Condolences to the family may be made to www.palmettofh.com.
The family is being served by Palmetto Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Mill, SC.

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