Vincent Douglas Panevino

Vincent Douglas Panevino was born to Thomas and Sydelle Panevino at 10:05 p.m. on February 19, 1948, at the now-shuttered Bronx Central Maternity Hospital—just two and a half hours after his mother went into labor. The youngest of three children, Vincent grew up alongside his siblings, Guy and Valerie, in a vibrant, working-class neighborhood shaped by the optimism and energy of postwar America. New York City was buzzing with possibility, and Vincent was born right into the heart of it.

He spent his early years in Queens, surrounded by the warmth of an Italian-Scottish-American family. Sadly, in his earliest years, Vincent knew the ache of loss. In 1952, his older brother Guy passed away at just 15—a sorrow that left an indelible mark. Then, in 1966, he lost his mother, Sydelle, to cervical cancer when she was only 51. These heartbreaks forged in him a quiet strength and an unshakable sense of determination.

In 1970, Vincent briefly married Stephanie Gillman; though the relationship ended in divorce three years later in 1973, it marked a period of personal growth and reflection that would shape the man he would become.

Vincent found his calling in graphic design, where his creativity and meticulous eye flourished. He poured his soul into his work, eventually founding Panevino Design—a studio he built from scratch, armed only with talent, grit, and a stubborn belief in his vision. His designs found their way into the heart of the fashion and beauty industries. He collaborated with brands like Ralph Lauren and Lancôme. He designed for Avon for many years. But it wasn't just his talent that earned admiration; it was his integrity, his kindness, and his unwavering dedication to his craft.

It was in New York, the city that shaped him, where he met the love of his life—Judi Rothstein. Together, they carved out a life, eventually eloping in Hawaii in 1985. Their bond only deepened with the arrival of their son, Thomas, in 1989. Becoming a father was a defining joy for Vincent. He and Judi raised Thomas in Battery Park City, a neighborhood at the southern tip of Manhattan.

On September 11, 2001, that very neighborhood was shaken by unimaginable tragedy. Vincent and his son found themselves just blocks from the Twin Towers, living through a moment that would change their lives forever. Yet even in that chaos, Vincent's quiet courage never faltered. He protected his son, faced the unthinkable, and emerged with the same quiet resilience that had carried him through life's earlier storms.

Outside of work and family, Vincent had two enduring passions: fly fishing and sports cars. He found serenity in the stillness of an early morning fishing excursion. And when he wasn't with his rod and reel, he was behind the wheel. He never grew tired of the growl of his Porsche.

In retirement, he and Judi swapped skyscrapers for sunshine, settling in Delray Beach, Florida. But Vincent never really slowed down—he kept designing, kept tinkering with his beloved car, and made time for regular visits to Texas to see Thomas and his husband, Mason.

On March 17, 2023, Vincent passed away peacefully at the age of 75, following a brave battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was surrounded by the people who loved him, just as he had always surrounded them—with strength, warmth, and unwavering support.

Vincent was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Sydelle Panevino, his brother Guy, and his sister Valerie. He is survived by his beloved wife, Judi, his son, Thomas, his son-in-law, Mason, and a chosen family of friends who adored him.