April 19, 2009

Dear Residents of Cow Neck,

The members and the Trustees of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society wish to extend our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Vincent J. Ressa, Jr., as we moum his passing. Vinnie was our sitting President and above all, a dear friend. Vinnie brought a spirit and enthusiasm to the Presidency like no one else could. Vinnie chaired the comniittee to run our Country Fair each of the past four Septembers, making it possible to keep a financially viable institution running on all cylinders. As President, Vinnie has been overseeing the Education Committee so that we can continue to host school groups. He has been instrumental in assuring that docents will be available to open our house museums to the public. Vinnie has brought a new focus to our collection management, so that we may be able to exhibit our vast collection of artifacts for all to see. Vinnie was able to maintain the physical structures of our house museums, whether by his own hand or through the hiring of the most qualified contractors possible.

Vinnie was also an ardent proponent of historic preservation. If a historic structure was slated for demolition in the area, Vinnie was there to do whatever he could to save the building. Vinnie believed that our local architecture was a glimpse into the past, a vehicle by which we could teach our youth the meaning of our local culture. He believed that with each lost structure we closed a window to the past.

Vinnie was also a builder and while it was his vocation, he also selected projects that had historic significance and he would bring back the appearance of a structure in the most historically sympathetic way possible. Vinnie went out of his way to study each structure to be sure we knew why an eve bracket belonged here or an eyebrow window belonged there. Vinnie was a gifted carpenter and with his skills he brought history to life. Vinnie has left us an architectural heritage on Cow Neck that we can enjoy for the rest of our years and we can show our children so that it lives on in perpetuity.

We will miss our friend and advocate, but we vow to continue the passion for history that Vinnie has taught us. We promise to teach our children and fellow residents with the zeal that Vinnie has demonstrated, leaving open that window to the past. Rest In Peace, our beloved downecker.

The Board of Trustees of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society