Vincent “Vinny” Mandala was a pillar of the FDNY and Staten Island youth sports communities and the cornerstone of his family. Everyone who met Vinny has a story of how he made them feel like family and the personal connection they shared. The world suffered a loss when Vinny Mandala passed away in May 2022 after a courageous battle with a 9/11-related cancer, leaving behind the family, the community, and the job he dedicated his life to. His memory and his message of giving back and treating everyone with respect still resonate today in every life he touched.

Vinny was born in Brooklyn in 1958, one of five siblings. He graduated from Xaverian High School in 1976 and Wagner College in 1980. Vinny enjoyed sports, playing baseball, track, and wrestling growing up. He carried his dedication to and passion for fitness throughout his life.

He joined the New York City Fire Department in 1979, serving for over 42 years, 20 of them as a deputy chief in the 11th Division. Despite his rank, “Vinny from the Division” earned a reputation for being a humble leader and a caring friend. He was a calming force on the fireground and a mentor at the kitchen table. His dedication to his FDNY colleagues was evident in his relentless commitment to firefighter safety, sitting on multiple safety committees and authoring numerous protocols throughout his career.

Vinny married the love of his life, Joan, on June 2, 1985, and together they raised four wonderful sons, Chris, Jimmy, Tommy, and Mark. From family dinners to sports to the problems of everyday life, Vinny always put his family first, diving headfirst into everything they did. No accomplishment was too small for him to be proud of, and no problem was too big or too small for him to come help with. When his children decided to play hockey, Vinny learned how to skate so he could coach. He spent countless summer days on the baseball field throwing batting practice to his boys or coaching their games at Mid-Island Little League. As a youth sports coach for over 20 years, Vinny was beloved, both on and off the field, displaying the same kindness, humility and approachability as he did everywhere else. His legacy continues to impact countless lives, having instilled lifelong values in his players that extended far beyond the playing fields.

In retirement, Vinny loved watching baseball on TV and trying to beat yesterday’s time on his daily walks, but he mostly loved being a grandpa and spending time with family.

Vinny Mandala’s life is a shining example of a role model, and he is deeply missed by his family and friends.