Vincent J. Soviero III peacefully left his body surrounded by his family Dec. 3, 2022, after having a heart attack nearly two weeks prior.
Vinnie lived his life fully and always on his own terms. He was a big personality, inarguably the life of any party, including another’s funeral. His jokes and sense of humor always came from a desire to entertain and share a laugh, especially laughing at himself.
Vinnie was born Sept. 20, 1944, in Red Bank, where he was a lifelong resident. He was the eldest son of Vince and Ann Soviero, themselves lifelong Red Bank residents. He graduated from Red Bank High School, Class of 1963.
He worked several odd jobs, including as usher at the Carlton Theater in Red Bank, now The Count Basie Center for the Arts. Soon afterward, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for four years, including a 14-month tour in the Vietnam War. He continued on for two more years as a reservist. Because of his lifelong passion for music – like his father and father’s father before him – during his service he played clarinet in the elite Marine Corps Band.
After his discharge, he worked for a time with his father at the Bendix Corporation. He went on to marry Elaine Patti June 1, 1968, at St. Anthony’s Church in Red Bank, the parish in which he grew up and brought up his own family. Their wedding was followed by a reception at the Molly Pitcher Inn, which served as the venue for their anniversary dinners in the decades that followed.
In 1970, Vinnie joined the New Jersey State Police, with which he enjoyed a nearly 30-year career, eventually advancing to the rank of sergeant first class. Among the many varied details he worked, including undercover narcotics and trooper security at the Garden State Arts Center (now PNC), he most relished his time with the state police’s Educational Services Unit. For years with this program he got to work with kids all over the state in New Jersey schools, giving talks on gun safety, fire prevention and raising drug awareness. During the summer months when school was out of session, he and the ESU provided trooper detail at Monmouth Park Racetrack as security and traffic control.
It was also while with the state police’s ESU that he spent a week each year at Rider College (now University) where the American Legion Jersey Boys State met to form their own mock government, for which his state police unit was the law enforcement entity. And during this week each year Vinnie played clarinet with their Jersey Boys State Band. He proudly retired from the NJ State Police in 1999.
Throughout his adult life, he volunteered over 50 years of service with the Red Bank Fire Department, specifically with the Independent Engine Company, along with and continuing his father’s legacy there.
In the mid 1970s, Vinnie developed a keen interest in magic and the art of illusion, and over the years became so skilled that he moonlighted as a closeup tableside magician in restaurants and cocktail lounges, as well as provided magic and entertainment as Flakey the Clown at children’s parties and events like the Monmouth County Fair.
Right up until his passing, he was an active member of several area concert, jazz and swing bands, performing as clarinetist, saxophonist and occasional oboist with groups like the Colts Neck Community Band, the Two Rivers Concert Band, the Alleluia Jazz Band and the VFW Jazz Band. He also served on the board of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra.
Vinnie was predeceased by his parents, Vincent J. Soviero Jr. and Ann Soviero, and is survived by his wife Elaine Soviero, brother John Soviero and his wife Susan, children James, Thomas and Gina, and grandchildren Michael S., Nicholas, Michael F., Meleana and Christian.
Visitation was held Dec. 8 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 9 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or American Disabled Veterans at ihelpveterans.org.
The article originally appeared in the December 15 – 21, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
