In Memory of Retired Chief Deputy US Marshal Nicholas L. Vinci

This post is a tribute to Nicholas L. Vinci.

Nick was the Chief Deputy US Marshal who hired me as a summer intern with the US Marshals Service in the summer of 1970.  He was easy, pleasant and had a "sparkle" in his eyes.  He hired me on the spot after finding out I went to West Catholic Girls' High School.  I was between my junior and senior years.

I worked for him for those three months, and he must have thought I did a pretty good job.  When I graduated from West the following June, there was no vacancy there, so I pestered him continually to call me if a vacancy became available.  At the time I worked at the US Navy Recruiting Station in Philadelphia.

Finally after continued pestering, finally he called me to offer me a job at the rate of GS-4.  I was a GS-3 at the Navy.  I'd worked there for nine months when he called.  I gave my two week notice to my sour old boss that very day.  She was not pleased.  But I digress.

I returned to the Marshals Service full time in March, 1972.  And there I remained, working for him doing civil work and as receptionist in the front office.  He took good care of me, rewarding my dedication and good work with promotions and some perks, minimal as they were at the time.  

During that time, in about 1977,  I ran into George Miller, a docket clerk in the Clerk's Office.  He overheard me in the hallway talking about my father, who was in the Imhof Thunderbirds Drum and Bugle Corps.  He waited and asked me if I knew about drum corps.  I told him about my father's love for the activity, and how he missed it.  George told me that the Archer Epler Musketeers had reformed their senior corps, at their American Legion Post in Upper Darby.  George told me he'd marched with the Reading Buccaneers and was very interested, still, in the activity.

That night I went home and told my parents about Archie reforming their corps.  The very next Friday night, Dad went to the Post and rejoined.  He remained at Archer Epler, playing bugle, singing in their chorus, and then a member of their Honor Guard.  Those were some of the happiest days of his life.  My parent persuaded me to come to the Post one Friday night.  When I did, they introduced me to my future husband.  My youngest brother then joined, and met his future wife.

A few years later, my husband and I were looking to buy a home in Hatboro, PA.  Our house in Philly was for sale, and the guy who bought it disappeared.  Then, with the settlement date approaching quickly, we were crestfallen as we realized we could never make the payment for the new house without the proceeds from the old one.  We were short $5,000.

I was so upset, and when I went to work the next day, Nick picked up on it immediately.  He pressed me for the reason, and it all came spilling out.  Our dream house was going to fall through our fingers because we couldn't make the settlement costs.  He asked how much we needed, and I told him, also saying how impossible the whole thing was.  He said, go back to work and don't worry about it.

Yes, easy for Nick to say.  The next day, he called me into his office, told me to close the door, and swore me to secrecy.  I couldn't imagine what was coming.  He handed me a small paper bag.  Inside it was $6,000 cash.  He told me to use what we needed, and give it back to him when we could.  He insisted.  I took it.  A few months later, I gave it back to him, in the same paper bag.  

We made settlement on our house.  And have lived here ever since.

So there it is.  This man, Nicholas L. Vinci, Navy Veteran, Deputy US Marshal, present at the riots in Mississippi, Chief Deputy US Marshal, worker at Spectacor at the Vet for the Phillies, runner for a few lawyers after his retirements.  Driving cross legged in his Buick Riviera.  Going to MCC New York with him with a woman in the back who was coming off a heroin high, trying to kick him, was fighting, screaming and barfing as I sat on my knees in the front seat of the car, fighting her and trying to keep her from opening the door while we were moving on the NJ Turnpike at about 90 mph...

The man was a living legend.

We had a chance to reconnect recently.  His memory was sharp as a tack.  He remembered things I forgot.  We laughed, reminisced and promised to keep in touch.  I told Nick how much he meant to me, how much meeting him influenced my life, and lastly, told him I loved him.

Nick passed away yesterday.  I'm so glad I got to reconnect.  Thank you, Nick.  For everything. 

Goodbye, Nick.  I will miss you, and am sure you are together now with Bridget and your sons.