Vincent Galante Jr.

Vincent Galante

8/4/1954-8/22/2024

Predeceased by his mother, Mary and father, Vincent.  Survived by his sister Noreen and her husband Robert Vido, two nieces and their families.  Vincent was born in the Bronx, NY.  He moved to his beloved Bogota in 1966.

There is a saying, it takes a village to raise a child, and nothing could be more true in Vincent’s case.  Besides his mom and family, Bogota helped to make Vinny who he was.  If you grew up in Bogota with him or lived there at any time, and you mentioned Vinny’s name, almost everyone knew who you were referring to.  Once befriended by Vinny, you were a friend for life.  You were on his list.  He used his list to get what he needed….and in a variety of ways…Vin usually got what he needed!  You could always find Vinny walking around town, going to one of the local eateries, Bowler City, the movies or the Bogota Public Library.  On all of his ventures, everyone took care and watched out for him.

Vinny would stop to talk to anyone.  He remembered everything about every event in his life.  The subject matter was usually about a dead celebrity (that he knew about first!), or his two annual trips that he took with “the boys”.  One was to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes.  Being the self-proclaimed #1 fan, his favorite was the Annual Galante Birthday trip to see his Yankees!  There were over 50 people who attended his 60th Birthday Bash at Yankee Stadium.  Vinny loved just being with his boys!

Vinny was a long time employee of The Arc of Bergen and Passaic’s Hoehne Vocational Center.  After a fall in his apartment, Vincent spent almost two years in a nursing home, as he was no longer able to return to his apartment in Bogota.  The wheels of the State system move slowly, but in May of 2024, Vincent moved into one of The Arc’s Group Homes in Bergenfield.  There he received 24 hour support from a dedicated staff.  He also attended The Arc’s Community Choices Day Program where he made some friends and enjoyed events in and out of the Center.

Vincent (Mr. Bogota) taught us about loyalty, love and true friendship.  He will be missed by his “people” at The Arc of Bergen and Passaic and most of all, by his “village” the people in Bogota.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bogota Public Library.