Obituary of Henry B. Vigeant

Henry B. Vigeant Vestal: Henry B. (Hank) Vigeant, beloved father, 84 years old, Vestal, NY, died Friday, September 19th, 2014. He was born March 18, 1930 in Dracut, MA. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Wanda Vigeant; his parents, Henry A. and Blanche Vigeant; his brothers, Robert, Maurice, and Raymond Vigeant. He is survived by his children: daughter, Karen V. Hage, Vestal; son and daughter-in-law, Gary H. Vigeant and Linda Ocasio, Vancouver, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Evan Moss, Jacksonville, FL; his sister, Simone Chodakowski, Newport, VT; sister, Jeanne McGlinchey, Westford, MA; brother, Gilbert Vigeant, Lowell, MA; many nieces and nephews; lifelong friend, Ed "Pin" Stankiewicz; his daughter of the heart, Lorraine Dias; his dear friends, Gloria Soovajian, Kevin Graham, and Chelsea Stankevich; and the little ones who lit up his last days, Maya and Emme Stankevich. Hank graduated from Keith Academy, Lowell, MA and Broome Community College, Binghamton, NY. Always athletic, as a young man Hank was a semi-professional baseball player whose dream of the pros was thwarted by the Korean War. Hank joined the US Navy, where he served proudly for 26 years, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Upon retiring he joined the United States Postal Service, where we worked for 17 years. Hank was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping and fishing and walking through the woods with his children. He was an excellent athlete who loved baseball (and was a lifetime Yankee fan), hockey, bowling, golf, and tennis. When his children were growing, he was active in Boy Scouts with his son and coached Little League and Pee Wee football. In his neighborhood he was everyone's coach and favorite playmate to many generations of youngsters. After retirement, he coached children aged 5-17 in bowling skills. He was a wonderful storyteller, whether making up stories for his children or telling jokes to his friends. He was an avid gardener and loved nature and wildlife. He was a devoted husband, an amazing father, and a good friend to many. The family would like to thank the staff at Wilson Hospital's North Tower 3 for their excellent care over the last weeks and the staff of Violet Court at Ideal Senior Living Center for helping us all through the last days. His family will receive visitors on Wednesday, September 24th, from 5-7 p.m. at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 765 Main Street, Vestal, NY. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 25th, at Coleman & Daniels. Burial will follow at Vestal Park Cemetery, Main Street, Vestal.