Vin Zorbo 5K Will Honor a 'True Legend' in the Westhampton Beach Community

Anyone who spent a significant amount of time at either the ocean or Immaculate Conception Church in Westhampton Beach probably knew Vin Zorbo.

For many years before his death in 2014, he was one of the most familiar faces in the community, volunteering his time in many ways, from serving as a youth minister at the Catholic church on Quiogue, to teaching others how to harness the power of the ocean and gain a spiritual experience of another kind: riding the waves at local surf breaks like Jetty 4 at Lashley Beach.

Zorbo’s death in 2014, of prostate cancer, left a hole in the community. But another organization that he devoted his time to has been determined to honor his memory.

On Saturday, September 30, the Father Joseph Slomski Council of the Knights of Columbus 7423, the Westhampton Beach chapter of the organization, will host the third annual Vin Zorbo Memorial 5K run/walk. The race will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Westhampton Beach Village Marina at 1 Library Avenue.

Race organizers and supporters, and members of the Knights of Columbus chapter, all called Zorbo “a true legend” in the community.

“He was known to several generations as ‘Uncle Vin,’ a man who loved to surf and who enjoyed passing on that love, as well as positive thoughts on how to live one’s life, to members of the younger generation with whom he came in touch,” said Knights of Columbus member George Motz.

Knights of Columbus members Tom Day and Bob Montpetit co-founded the race, and Day spoke about why Zorbo was such an important figure in the community and worthwhile of honoring with a memorial race.

“He touched multiple lives across so many generations,” he said. “He really liked being outdoors and bringing people together.”

The race will raise money for several different causes and local charities, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the eastern Long Island chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, Maureen’s Haven, Angela’s House, the food pantry at Immaculate Conception, and the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, which awards two scholarships annually to graduating seniors from Westhampton Beach.

For more information or to register, visit events.elitefeats.com/23vinzorbo.