logo logo logo logo

Sag Harbor Express

East Hampton Press / Obituaries / Obituaries / Southampton Press / Obituaries / Sag Harbor Express / 2260071

Vincent Joseph Wesnofske of Naples, Florida, Dies June 3

icon 1 Photo
Vincent Joseph Wesnofske

Vincent Joseph Wesnofske

authorStaff Writer on Jun 10, 2024

Vincent Joseph Wesnofske, of Naples, Florida, passed away at the age of 83, on Monday, June 3, 2024 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 3, 1941 in Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY to Vincent and Madeline (Meyer) Wesnofske. He grew up a son of a potato farmer in Sagaponack, NY and worked alongside his father as a young boy. He attended Bridgehampton High School.

Vince enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November, 1958 and served until December, 1962. He was a valued member of the Marine Corps boxing team where he defeated the two time world-wide and interser-vice champion by unanimous decision, after knocking him down in the first two minutes. His love for the Corps was shared by his son, Brian, and grandson, Brandon, who is currently serving as a Captain in the USMC.

After the Marine Corps, Vince started working as a construction laborer and he worked his way to become a craftsman carpenter. Soon thereafter, he was self-employed and building homes featured in The New York Times and various magazines. To better serve his clients, he expanded his business to include earthwork and excavation. He also owned and operated a sand and gravel mining operation. While in Bridgehampton, he served as a member of the Bridgehampton Fire Department.

After vacationing in Nashville, TN, it did not take long for Vince and Elaine to move there with their family in 1983. While in Nashville, Vince continued his earthwork business as well as real estate development. Upon retir-ing, they moved to Naples and became a member of St. William Catholic Church.

Vince loved traveling the world on his diving ad-ventures. Bonaire, being his favorite dive destination, awarded him the title of Ambassador to the island after he visited over 20 times in 24 years. His other hobbies in-cluded boating, woodworking and enhancing the beauty of his yard. All through his adult life, he had a talent for taking raw land and creating mini paradises.

A wealth of wisdom and practical know-how, he was always happy to offer guidance and assistance in building or fixing things. His incredible knowledge of leverage and how he applied it in daily life was considered awe-inspiring by all who knew him. Vince’s profound faith, unwavering dedication to family, and tireless work ethic served as an enduring inspiration to his wife, children and grandchildren.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of almost 60 years, Elaine (Grzybowski) Wesnofske. His chil-dren: Bruce (Michelle) Wesnofske of Smyrna, TN, Brian (Annette) Wesnofske of Mt. Juliet, TN, Brett (Connie) Wesnofske of Nashville, TN and Wendy (Eric) Ahlstrand of Franklin, TN. Siblings: Joan (George) Tiska of South Setauket, NY, Carol Wesnofske of Sag Harbor, NY, Steve (Lori) Wesnofske of East Hampton, NY. Grandchildren: Cassandra (Ryan) Bowers, Courtney (James) Courtney, Nicholas Wesnofske, Captain Brandon Wesnofske, Davis Wesnofske, Zachary Wesnofske, Anna Wesnofske, Rachael Wesnofske, Christopher (Morgan) Wesnofske, Andrew (Caroline) Wesnofske, Thomas Wesnofske, Riley (Carson) Ward, Carl Ahlstrand, Christian Ahlstrand, Gun-nar Ahlstrand. Great-grandchildren: Edward, Harper, Bennett, Matthew, Aiden, Braelyn, Reese, Crew and Annie, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024, from 4 to 8 PM at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home, 201 25th Avenue North, Nashville and on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 from 9 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM, at Christ the King Church, 3001 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville. Interment following at Calvary Cemetery, 1001 Lebanon Road, Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: 
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,

501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 
Avow Hospice, 
1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105

You May Also Like:

Southampton Town Police Announce 2026 Civilian Academy

The Southampton Town Police Department will launch its 2026 Civilian Police Academy on January 15, ... 5 Dec 2025 by Staff Writer

Sag Harbor Village Police Reports for the Week of December 4

SAG HARBOR VILLAGE — Sag Harbor Village Police arrested a Sag Harbor teenager on a charge of assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, early Saturday morning. According to police, the victim, also a Sag Harbor teen, left work and was approaching his car parked on Rysam Street at about 10:30 Friday night when he noticed the interior light in a dark sedan go on, after which the suspect stepped out. The victim told police that the suspect had recently been photographing his car, then sending him threatening messages via social media. After getting out of the sedan, police said, ... 4 Dec 2025 by Staff Writer

A Day of Quiet

November 27, Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Morning: I hear the screech owl, the great-horned owl, the Cooper’s hawk, Carolina wren, white-throated sparrow, chirps of the cardinal, red-breasted nuthatch, the cooo of the mourning dove; songs of rooster, flicker, dark-eyed junco. Titmouse, blue jay. Wind, barely a breeze, whispers haaaaaaaa in wind language, lovingly. Tranquility. Peace. I’m alive — ping of chill in the air, my skin zings. This sacred silence is why I moved here 40 years ago. But it’s completely gone now. And why? Was our designation of “green community” just a photo-op? A lie? Words co-opted like the phrase ... by Staff Writer

White House Confidential

There has been some consternation expressed about changes that the Trump administration is making to the White House, including the East Wing demolition, paving over the Rose Garden, and plans for a grand ballroom. Let’s put some historical perspective on this: The first president to occupy the White House, John Adams, did so 225 years ago last month, and the building and grounds have been undergoing change ever since. Construction of the White House had begun during George Washington’s first term — specifically, at noon on October 13, 1792, with the laying of the cornerstone. The main residence and foundations ... by Tom Clavin

The Nitrogen Threat

“Restore Our Waters” was the title of the invitation. Its subtitle: “Learn How To Switch Out Your Septic To Remove The No. 1 Threat to Groundwater, Nitrogen, From Our Septic Systems With Tax-Free Grant Funds.” Some 100 people packed into the auditorium of the Southampton Cultural Center two weeks ago for a “public education event” to learn about an issue that has deeply impacted Suffolk County: the migration of nitrogen from cesspools into groundwater, the sole source of potable water in Suffolk. The nitrogen also goes into surface waters, including lakes, ponds and bays. Spotlighted at the event was the ... by Karl Grossman

Vigor and Decay

Brown is the color of the days. We, at such an angle to the sun, give up our growing season and must tilt toward the melancholy color of mud. While finger-painting, brown might be the first color you make by mistake. In your enthusiasm, you blended all the colors on the pallet and ended up with nothing remarkable. In fact, it looks like excrement. Brown may not be a vibrant color, but it is generally a warm one. All living things are, at some point, brown. The goldfinch, as if reduced to rags, just dingy fluff where brightness had been. ... by Marilee Foster

Community News, December 4

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Santa on the Farm Weekend The Long Island Game Farm invites families to ... by Staff Writer

The Start of a New Era at The Express News Group, With a New Website and Focus on Digital Media, and Leadership Changes

The end of the year will be the start of a new era at The ... 3 Dec 2025 by Cailin Riley

Sag Harbor Planning Board Has Questions as Redevelopment of 2 Main Street and 22 Long Island Avenue Come Into Focus

The Sag Harbor Village Planning Board had a number of questions as the board reviewed ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Sign the Ban

Pity the poor horseshoe crab. It is, without question, a survivor almost beyond compare. Consider this: There are fossils of the creature dating back 445 million years. Dinosaurs arrived about 200 million to 250 million years ago — which means the time between us and dinosaurs is equal to the time between dinosaurs and the earliest horseshoe crabs. And they’re still here, nearly unchanged. But they finally may have met their match. The American horseshoe crab has “vulnerable” status, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The population faces a whole series of challenges, including sea-level rise, coupled ... by Editorial Board