Richard James Vinski of Flanders died at home on November 6, surrounded by family and friends. He was 56 and had been diagnosed two years ago with a brain tumor and then esophageal cancer.
Mr. Vinski, known as “Rick,” was born September 7, 1959, in Southampton. He played football at Southampton High School and then in college at University of Mississippi, known as Ole Miss, and the New York Institute of Technology. For many years in high school and college, he worked at the Green Thumb Organic Farm. Though he graduated from NYIT with a degree in computer science, he loved the outdoors and working with his hands so much that instead of pursuing a career in computers, he founded a business, Vinski Roofing.
He married Tina Barnes, moved to Hampton Bays, and the couple had a daughter, Christina. They divorced 12 years later. Mr. Vinski then moved to Flanders, where he met his current wife, Barbara, who fell in love with him and his daughter, Christina.
He continued to work at his roofing business and then for local contractors. His love for farming continued at their home, where he grew vegetables and flowers in a garden that could not be matched, survivors said. Mr. Vinski also became involved with the Southold Project in Aquaculture Training, or SPAT, raising oysters in the bay near their home.
Survivors said Mr. Vinski had a quiet strength and that he gave generously throughout his life to friends, family, neighbors and those in need.
Mr. Vinski is survived by a daughter, Christina Vinski and husband Chris; his parents, John and Carolyn Vinski; and aunt, Helen Vinski; and siblings Debbie Larsen and husband Tony, John Vinski and wife Karen, Fran Tepper and husband Peter, Ted Vinski and wife Kathy, Jeff Vinski and wife Pam; and his in-laws, Jeff Rosenthal and wife Maria, Jon Rosenthal and wife Shawn; many nieces and nephews, his many dear friends and his wife, Barbara.
A funeral service was held at O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton on November 11.
on Nov 9, 2015