Vincent Rider

Vincent W. Rider passed away at home on September 2nd. He was born on August 8, 1931 in Marilla, New York. Predeceased by his first love, Jean of 63 years, and survived by wife, Kathleen (neé Colligan), his children Michael Rider (Annie), Jan Goshorn (Dennis), Dan Rider (Tina), Tom Rider (Shelley), Mary Rider, Anne Kline (Chris), Casey Calvey (Jeff), and Andrea Fortuin; 21 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was an incredible man, filled with faith in God, love for his family, a strong commitment to help the poor and a desire to bring hope to people. Vince grew up in the country, outside of Buffalo and first learned to drive a tractor on his grandfather’s farm at the age of 10. After high school he went to work for a plumbing and heating company and would always describe himself as a plumber. He was drafted for the Korean War and through that was able to graduate from college at George Washington University as an electrical engineer. Eventually he went on to become a professional engineer. He was an avid NY Yankees fan. He went to work for NYSEG and eventually rose to the position of Vice President, after 37 years he retired and began the work he loved, working for Habitat for Humanity for 15 years, building homes for those in need. He volunteered with Habitat 6 days a week and said that his favorite day was always Saturday because that is when all of the volunteers came and he could tell them about the history of Habitat and the philosophy behind it. Vince also helped to build the monastery at Mt. St. Francis in Maine, NY and was available to use his carpentry skills to help anywhere he was asked. He sought out struggling families and worked at his own expense to repair their homes. He added lighting and book shelves to Transfiguration Monastery in Windsor, did projects at Mom’s House, delivered meals for Meals on Wheels, and repaired broken furniture for friends and neighbors. Vince’s most outstanding characteristic was his faith in God. He became a Catholic in his 40’s with two of his children as his Godparents. He was president of the Parish Council at Church of the Holy Family, and he proudly recounted how it was during his time that a wing of classrooms was added on to the church for Sunday school. He used his carpentry skills to help add on a crying room and added a trophy cabinet for the parish hall. This past Christmas he built a 6-foot-tall crèche outside his home, with statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph because he wanted people to remember that the birth of Jesus is what Christmas is all about. His final project was completed a few months ago when he added shelves and fixtures to the Newly New shop in Binghamton. He was also an active member of a charismatic prayer group and loved to add music to meetings. His Christian music followed him everywhere and played consistently throughout the day when he was in his workshop where he made over 20,000 crosses that were sent throughout the world. Vince was a good man. A generous man with time and talent. He lived simply so that he had more to give. We, his family and friends, will greatly miss him.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday 11 am at Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell. The family will receive friends at church Thursday from 9:30 am until Mass time at 11 am. Burial will be in Marilla Cemetery, Marilla, NY, Friday at 12 pm. If you would like to remember Vince, please consider a donation to: Mom’s House, 770 Harry L Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790, or the Transfiguration Monastery, 701 Rt-79, Windsor, NY 13865.