Vince C. Aldrich Jr, A Life Celebrated

March 17, 1936 – August 2, 2023

Vince Aldrich, age 87, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

Vince was born on March 17, 1936, in Brooklyn, NY to Vince & Carol Aldrich. While Vince's childhood was anything but traditional; he was an only child who didn't live with his parents until he was a teenager due to their careers in domestic service, he was always surrounded by love. He had a large extended family that included 4 aunts and their spouses on his mother's side and 7 first cousins, most of whom were like brothers and sisters growing up.

After graduating from Hamden high school in Hamden, CT he went on to attend a year at the prestigious Prep School, Suffield Academy. The next year he enrolled at West Virginia State university for several years, but decided college was not for him. Instead, he opted to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961.

By 1964, Vince found himself stationed overseas, working in a military hospital in Germany. This is where he would meet his beloved wife of 54 years, Sara Kurtz (Aldrich). It was love at first sight, on that fateful day in 1965, at least for Sara, Vince needed more convincing. But it wasn't long before the two lovebirds were traveling all over Europe and planning their life together.

The couple was married in June of 1967 and moved back to the states in 1968. Things were not simple for the newlyweds because Sara was a white woman and Vince a black man. They encountered many instances of disapproval, including from family, but they chose to live their life as they saw fit.

In 1971, Vince and Sara welcomed their first child, a son, Jason. They were settled into their apt in Queens, NY and were establishing their own version of the American dream. Vince spent most of his career working on computers, dating back to when IBM was the only option and the idea for the internet was decades away!

By 1975 Vince decided that raising a family in the hustle and bustle of NYC was not something he wanted to continue, so he and his small family moved to upstate NY and settled in a small farming town called Florida, NY. February of 1977 saw the birth of Vince and Sara's second child, a daughter, Stacie. They made this house their home and raised their children there until they were empty nesters.

Needing a change of scenery, Vince and Sara started the second half of their life in a beautiful beach town in Lewes, Delaware. Vince has always had an excellent eye for photography, and he was finally able to take his camera and go, just like when he and Sara were traveling around Europe.

The year 2009 was an exciting one for Vince and Sara. They welcomed their first grandchild, Ariana, born to their daughter Stacie. She was the apple of Vince's eye, and he grew very close to her in his later years. He also gained a daughter when their son Jason married his longtime girlfriend, Karla.

Their second granddaughter, Lila, was welcomed by the excited grandparents in October of 2017. She was the first child for Jason and Karla. Vince was thrilled at this addition and enjoyed spending time with the new parents and their bundle of joy.

Mid-2018 brought about big change for Vince and his wife. Due to health complications, they moved from Delaware to be with their daughter in Florida. While not the place Vince wanted to spend his final years, he was blessed to be surrounded by many people who loved him.

Through all the health issues, June 2021 shined brightly when Vince's legacy, Thomas Bradley Aldrich, was born. The proud grandfather was all smiles when he got to hold his grandson for the first time. Though frailer, Vince didn't shy away from the moment, but embraced it with love and determination.

The year 2021 closed and 2022 began with sorrow with the loss of his best friend and roommate Greg and the sudden passing of the love of his life. Not one to dwell in his sorrows, Vince grieved, but continued to live the life they would have wanted, one of immense love.

Vince had many hobbies, building model trains and fishing, but mostly music and photography. His camera was like another limb attached to his body. He lost himself behind that lens and while he was a quiet man you could tell a lot about who he was by what he captured. A picture is worth 1000 words, but for Vince it was a lifetime of stories. If pictures were a way for Vince to connect with others and the world, music was how he fed his soul. His taste was vast and eclectic, from classical to jazz to opera to rock & roll; he loved it all! His final road trip, 86 years old and wheelchair bound, was to a concert to see one of his favorites, Andrea Bocelli. He was escorted by his daughter who gifted him this once in a lifetime adventure, one he never regretted! The trip was made even more special because his son and youngest granddaughter, Lila, tagged along for the ride.

While Vince was a private man, following the wise advice he once gave his daughter, "you should be able to count your true friends on one hand," he was loved by everyone who ever had the pleasure to share even a word with him. His was a life well lived and well told, one to be celebrated, always, so the world will never forget, the man whose stories touched many. When you remember him smile, when you speak of him be it with love, but never with sorrow or sadness because he is finally with his beloved wife, in the kingdom of our Lord.

Vince was preceded in death by his wife, Sara, who went to be with the Lord on January 23, 2022. He is survived by daughter Stacie, of Orlando; his son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Karla of Fredericksburg, Virginia; his 3 grandchildren, Ariana (Stacie), Lila & Thomas (Jason & Karla).