Obituary of Vincent Wiernicki

Life Legacy Vincent Robert Wiernicki, 95, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 2, 2017 at the SAVAHCS Veterans Hospital in Tucson. He was born May 22, 1922 in New York Mills, New York to the late Henryk and Maria (Florek) Wiernicki. He received his education in Mohawk Valley schools and also earned an Associate’s Degree in Engineering. He was employed as a Manufacturing Engineer for Univac/Unisys for over 30 years until his retirement in 1983. Vince was united in marriage with Olga Senko (Richfield Springs) on May 17, 1952 at St. Peter & St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church in Herkimer, New York. He and his wife resided in Ilion and Mohawk before moving to Bristol, Tennessee in 1977. Vince was a member of St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Ilion, New York and a long-standing member of St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Bristol, Tennessee, serving as Sr. Warden for many years. Vince proudly served his country in the US Army as a Staff Sergeant in WWII where he was a Tank Commander for Company B 824th Tank Destroyer Battalion under Gen. George S. Patton. He was also a Sergeant for the 76th Tank Battalion 11th Airborne Division. He was awarded American, European, African, Middle Eastern, Rhineland and Central European Theatre Service Ribbons. He also was awarded a Meritorious Unit Award and a WWII Victory Ribbon. He achieved expert status on the 30 Cal Machine Gun and expert status on the 3-inch Gun M5. Vince loved dogs and enjoyed gardening, fishing, woodworking, and performing any handiwork needed for family, friends and the church. He will always be remembered for his humor, big smile and blue eyes. Vince will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He is survived by three daughters, Carole Cirmo of Binghamton, New York, Lainey Spangler and husband, Dan Bruns, of Tucson, Arizona, and Lisa Smith and husband, Steven Smith, of Marietta, Georgia as well as brothers Zygmunt “Zig” and Witold “Vete” and wife Ellen. He is also survived by grandchildren Scott Cirmo (Brittany) of Arlington, Virginia, Ashley Cirmo McNamara (Ian) of Syracuse, New York, Jake, Ty, Eden and Brody Smith of Marietta, Georgia, and great-grandson Cael McNamara along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Olga and brothers Henry Jr., Mitchell, Stanley, William, sister Sophia and son-in-law Tom Cirmo. A memorial service to celebrate Vince’s life will take place in New York. He will be laid to rest at the Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Vince’s memory to Bright Focus Foundation for Alzheimer’s Research or the Disabled American Veterans.