Vinicio (Vince) Mario Di Nillo
July 2, 1937 to November 25, 2019
Obituary
It is with profound sadness and loss we announce the peaceful passing of Vince Di Nillo at home on the 25th November 2019.
Vince or Chef, as he was also known, was born in 1937 in the village of Rosello, Italy and at a very young age he moved to London, England. There he commenced his apprenticeship in the culinary world working in many fine homes including that of Princess Margaret.
Vince, with a sense of adventure and opportunity moved to Montreal in 1956 and hence began his love affair with Canada. Soon after, he seized the chance to move to Stephenville NL, then Gander and onwards to St John’s where, for many years, he was the Executive Chef for Atlific Hotels, the former operators of the Holiday Inns in NL.
Chef was passionate about his profession and recognized that mentoring was the way to instill this passion in others. He was a founding member of the NL Association of Chefs and Cooks and was honoured and recognized for his contribution to the industry with the Chef of the Year Award several times and also an award named in his honour.
Nationally he was honoured by the Canadian Federation of Chefs as the Chef of the Year in 1991. Chef was always front and center in fundraising and supporting local charities and in 2003 he ventured as part of a 200 person international team of chefs to fundraise and feed hungry children in South Africa. He and his fellow Chefs for many years hosted the Regatta Day Breakfast for the Children’s Wish Foundation among other worthwhile causes.
The only passion Vince had that exceeded that of his profession was that of his family. Vince loved to travel and to experience the flavours wherever he went but nothing pleased him more than to visit family in “the village” in Italy. He was predeceased by his mother, father, a brother and a sister. His older brother Romano (Maria) and nieces and nephews in Rosello, Villa Santa Maria and Rome survive him. His heartfelt sense of pride, love and joy will be always present in those he called family and friends.
He is survived by his steadfast and loving wife Patsy Tremblett-Di Nillo and their daughter Ersilia, his three sons; Dino (Glenda), Mississauga; Mario, London ON, Romano, New York city and his fur companion Luna.
Cremation has taken place and condolences can be personally given to the family during a visitation at Carnell’s Funeral Home at 329 Freshwater Road, St John’s Thursday, the 28th November from 2 – 4pm and 7 – 9pm or electronically on their website www.carnells.com.
A celebration of Vince will be held at the Battery dining room from 7pm – 9 pm on Friday November 29th.
Flowers gratefully accepted or donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Foundation of NL, 1037 Topsail Road, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 5E9.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on November 28, 2019
7-9 p.m. on November 28, 2019
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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Dear Patsy
We have just recently found out about Vince’s passing. Please accept our most sincere condolences to you and your family.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Sue and Urs Binder, Ottawa
Dear Patsy & Ersilia,
We have fond memories of Vince and both of you on our trip to Italy in 2002.
Our sincerest condolences on your loss.
Josie, Adam & Vanessa Di Palma
Pointe-Claire, Qc.
Deepest sympathy to the family.
I well remember you living on Ennis Ave many years ago.. you are all in my thoughts and prayers
Marilyn Pike
Dear Patsy and Ersilia, we are very saddened to hear of Vince’s passing. He was an incredible kind person. He will be missed deeply by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Our condolences
Dennis and Jeff
My sympathy to you all on your loss. I have such great memories of working with Chef at The Battery..
May happy memories be a comfort.
With love,
Judy LeMoine
So very sorry for your loss. Best pizza I ever tasted in my life was made by “the Chef”. I have never tasted a better pizza than what Mr. De Nillo made for me in Grand Falls in the early 1970s. ❤️❤️
Patsy, Ersilia and family,
Thinking of you during this difficult time. My deepest condolences to you all.
God Bless,
Erin Lane (Stacey’s sister)
Patsy and family,
My sincerest condolences at the passing of Vince.
May your memories of the good times console you during this difficult time.
God bless
Nancy
Patsy and family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on Vince’s passing. I’m sorry I was unable to attend the visitation but when you are feeling up to it I would like nothing more than to get together with you and Janet and have a chat about old memories!
Take care
Helen Picco (Worthman)
My deepest condolences for your loss. Much love to you and your children. May happy memories be remembered and cherished for ever.
Anne-Lisa de Forest
I am so sorry for the loss of your father thinking about you all at this very sad time love Joan
To Patsy, Dino Mario, Romano and Ersilia, So sorry to hear of “Chef’s passing. I met him when I went to work at Holiday Inn in 1975. He took me under his wing and taught me a lot about the food industry.. I remember cooking meals for his boys and their friends when they would come for their lunch breaks from school. He had a special relationship with our family from “Mudder” on down. He will always have a special place in my heart. May he rest in peace and always in your hearts. Debbie (Eustace) Power
Patsy & Family
We are so sorry for your loss. Vince was a beautiful & vibrant person. Our sincerest condolences.
My condolences Patsy and Romano on the passing of Vince. I will always have wonderful memories of treating him for his physio related problems. He was always a pleasure to see. His happy smile lit up the place. He will be fondly remembered and missed.
Jo Crisp
Patsy and family, Sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Sending sincere condolences.
Henry Yetman
Dear Patsy, Ersilia, Romano, Dino & Mario, We were so very saddened to hear of Vince’s passing. What fun we all had at the many various events around the sharing of fabulous food and great times. Vince was the spark that lit up all the gatherings, and we give thanks for that.. Please accept our deepest sympathy, and to dear Vince, “Thanks for the memories.” Love from Nora & Dominic Lippa & family
Patsy and family, so sorry to hear of Vince’s passing.. As you know I worked with him for years at the Holiday Inn and so did my Mom, he always called her Mother and she adored him. May he Rest In Peace.
BeverleyPhilpott
Dear Patsy,
Let me add to the vast number of messages you have received already. How many happy moments have we shared over the years with you and Vince, many through Amici del Enotria. We will cherish these always. Please know that I am thinking of you and offer my most sincere sympathies. Edgar – from Niagara Falls
Patsy and family,
We are very sorry to learn of your loss, and we offer sincere sympathy.
My condolences to the family and to all who have met and spent any time with Vince.
What a joy he was to know!
I first met Vince when he was the Chef at the Simwesco Hotel in Grand Falls, NL in the early 70’s and over the years we would bump into each other and it would always be great to spend some time catching up and reminising about old times and the present.
Wherever you are now my old friend I bet your having fun and cooking up a storm! See Ya!
Patsy and Family,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Vince. I worked with Vince for over 25 years at The Holiday Inn. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Lillian Power
Patsy
No words can adequately express the sadness and loss.
In my thoughts
Michael
Romano,
My heartfelt condolences, to you and your family, at this sad time.
I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts.
Kristen
On behalf of Nancy, myself and the rest of our family, please accept our deepest condolences on this sad loss. The many years of memories will surely be of great comfort to you all as you move forward.
Patsy and family:
Please accept our sincere sympathy on the passing of Vince.
Guido & Frances Del Rizzo
Dear Patsy, We are so very sorry to hear of Vince’s passing. Please know that our thoughts are with you at this most difficult time..
Sincerely Linda & Ed Power
It is wth great sadness to hear that Vince is gone. He was a good friend and culinary college. With his guidance we worked on many culinary fundraisers a nd fundraisers together. I will miss him dearly-. Since I am out of the country I am celebrating him in my thoughts. Respectfully Ulrich Hochwald.
Patsy and family, please accept our condolences on Vince’s passing. Such a wonderful man.
Patsy, What an amazing story you and Vince shared. Through the good times and bad, yours is a story of love, support, and strength. It was always a pleasure to see you both out enjoying the passion for food you both shared. We’re unable to be there but are confident that you are surrounded by friends and family and will take comfort in your beautiful memories.
Take care,
Annette and Dave
Patsy, Ersilia and family
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this difficult time and thinking of Vince with fond memories of kindness and great food! xoxo
Patsy,
I am so sorry to hear of Vince’s passing. My heart goes out to you, Ersilia, and your entire family.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Although we were neighbours for only five years in the mid-nineties, to this day we often remember the good times and gatherings on Mountbatten Drive, where the camaraderie, abundance of food, wine and stories were shared. Vince was the catalyst, and usually involved in all the above.
We often think of those times, particularly when we are making Vince’s Lobster Sauce.
Rest in peace good sir.
Patsy,
So sorry to hear of Vince’s passing. Our deepest sympathy is extended to you, Ersilia and family.
Vince was such a magnificent man.
Our thoughts are with you.
Roma, Shawn and family
Our hearts go out to all of you on the loss of your beloved father, husband, friend… Deepest condolences to you — our old friends Mario and Romano — and to your family.
To the Di Nilllo family we were so sorry to here of his passing .Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time . May your Father rest in peace
GOD Bless Liam Sneyd and Family
Romano, Dino, Mario, Patsy & family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Dinillo was a wonderful man! Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Love
Cathy, Leslie and our families.
(Ennis Avenue)
Dear Patsy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to all of you..
Bernita Cogswell
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Di Nillo family on the loss of your loved one. May you find some comfort knowing he is now at peace. Vince was a friend of my husband and we often met at various social events over the years. I found him to be a very gentle, friendly, and kindhearted man. I recall a number of years ago a friend and I were on our way to the bank, and along the way we decided to stop for lunch at the Holiday Inn where Vince was Chef. It was only after glancing at the menu I remembered all I had in my purse was my paycheque and no I.D. So before ordering I asked one of the staff if it was possible for me to have a quick word with Vince. A few minutes later Vince was at our table and I asked if he would mind identifying me if I ran into any trouble with the cashier. He told me not to worry as he would take care of it . After we finished lunch Vince appeared again at our table and asked if we enjoyed our meal. I said we had indeed and were just waiting for the check. He smiled and said: ”No need to wait, lunch is on me!” That was Vince!
Dear Patsy and family,
So sorry to hear of Vince’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Bax and Dolores Kean
Di Nillo family
thoughts and prayers are with your family on the passing of your father.
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.Vince was a friend whos company we always enjoyed and valued. We are out of the country and unable to visit in person but know we are thinking of you and rembering a fine man.
Aubrey snd Eleanor
Our condolences to the entire Di Nillo family.
We were fortunate to have enjoyed a combined 14 years as co-workers with Vince and many more as friends. He would often use the name Nannetta when saying hello to Annette. The Big One was his choice for me. That had everything to do with a decided difference in height that made him grin when making light of it. I can attest to being one person that benefited greatly from the mentoring Vince provided to so many. We shall always be thankful that Vince made a little room in his life for both of us.
Carl and Annette
Patsy & family my deepest condolences on your loss. Vince was a lovely person, loved by many. Hold on to your great memories. May he RIP.
To Patsy, Dino, Romano, Mario, & Ersilia, so sorry to hear of Uncle Vince’s passing, sending my heartfelt condolences to you all. . When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them,….But to live with the love he left behind..
healing hugs. R.I.P.. Uncle Vince, ????????
.
My deepest condolences Patsy to you and your family on Vince’s passing. My association with Vince goes back to 1978. We shared many laughs together, especially during a work assignment in Montreal some years ago.
Sincerely,
Dave Turner
To Patsy and family, so sorry to hear about Vince’s passing. Thinking of you. Our heartfelt condolences.
Martin and Jennifer
To the Di Nillo Family; We are so sorry to hear of Vince’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, during this difficult time. He was a lovely man who always had a smile, he was a friend to all. God bless.!!
Much love to you and your family Patsy. Chef was and is a big influence in my life. I felt like he took me under is wing and was always in my corner with much support. He guided me to where I am today. I love you Chef Vince.
May the gods be happy to see you and enjoy your humanity and character as much as we have. I’m sure you will cook them up a storm!
I’m very sorry to learn of the passing of your father, Romano. May he rest in peace. You, your family, and his many friends are in my thoughts at this sad time.
My condolences to the Di Nillo family.
Patsy:
So sorry to hear of Vince’s passing. My sincere thoughts are with you and your family.
Della Thomas
Chef was truly a gentleman in every respect of the word. We had many long chats, especially when he visited the College. He was a true inspiration to many, not only to those in the culinary world, but to all who knew him. My deepest and sincerest condolences to Patsy and the entire family.
Romano,
So sorry learn of your dads passing. I remember meeting him when you were a student at MAry Queen of Peace. His immediate friendly demeanor was so endearing and he was so rightfully proud of you.
Margot and I wish you and your family peace through this difficult time in your lives.
Patsy and family:
Sorry to hear about Vince’s passing, please accept our sincere condolences.
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Romano. By today’s standards he was young to go so soon, but I know that no matter the circumstances it’s always too soon to say ” a la prochaine” to your Dad.
Paul and I send you our deepest condolences and regrets that we will be in Massachusetts for Thanksgiving and therefore unable to come see you at the visitation. Will be thinking of you. xo Renee and Paul Antle
To Patsy and family,
So sorry to hear about Vince. I will be thinking about you and your family during this sad time. It has been 3 months since Mike passed, I have fond memories as I know you would have of Vince. Hugs!
My sincerest condolences to the family, friends and long time colleagues of the Late Chef Vince Di Nillo. Known for his commitment and passion to his family and profession, Vince was a kind, considerate and courageous man.
I will always remember our journey to South Africa in 2003 for the World Cooks Tour Against Hunger, when Vince led a Team of Chefs from Newfoundland including Gerry Crewe and John Scurrey to raise funds and awareness for the children and families in need by cooking with his team in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Chef Vince was a true humanitarian and a blessing to all those who knew him.
May the warmth of his joy and the memories that were shared bring comfort to those in reflection and sadness.
Rest In Peace Vince and may God continue to bless you and your family always. ????❤️????
Patsy and Family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you.
Romano, Patsy and family,
Such a sad loss, I’ll be thinking about you all during this time. What a pleasure it was to see him just a few months ago and I remember often enjoying his food and hospitality so many years ago. What a great life Chef had and it was made richer by you all. My condolences, Greg
Oh Mario I am so very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. My deepest condolences to you and your family. He sounds like an amazing man with many stories, stories you can cherish and many great memories. Big hugs Mario
Romano and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. You are in our thoughts at this sad time.
Sincere condolences,
Andrew, Nicole and Anna Mercer
Dear Romano and family,
It was heartbreaking to hear of your dear dads passing. From reading about him, he was such a wonderful man who loved his family and friends and all that encompassed life Condolences on your loss to you all. God bless!
Korona Brophy
To the family, our condolences in this impossible time. Thinking of you.
Patsy and family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you all. I am keeping you in my thoughts at this time. Although I did not know Vince well, I could see his great love for you and Ersilia. And your love for him. Wonderful memories and may God bless.
Dino, Mario, Romani & family- My heartfelt condolences to you and your families from Pat
(Whit e)Sharp.’ Vince was always good to me and I know he will be sorely missed.
Mario and Family,
Thinking of you and sending our sincere condolences.
Patsy and family
I am so very sorry to hear of Vince’s passing! I know you and Ersillia must be heartbroken! Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers now , and in the days ahead. Hold on to your precious memories and know that he is in a better place , free from all suffering, Hugs Jennie
To Pats and family
We are writing this with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes
So sorry to hear of the passing of Vince.
Pats our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ersilia, Romano, Mario, Dino and the other members of your extended family. Vince was a wonderful friend, a terrific chef, a great father, a loving husband and a fabulous human being and will be missed by us all.
There are many stories that we can tell about Vince but I’ll always remember the time he got Diane to eat the barbecued frog legs by telling her it was female shrimp that he was barbecuing and she loved them until he told her what she actually ate .
Pats we so wish that we could be there for you at your time of sorry . However we will be home in 10 days and will drink a glass of wine to a very, very special man
GOD LOVE VINCE.
See you soon
Diane and Lorne
Patsy and family,
Just a note to pass along my condolences. You are in my thoughts.
Twila
Patsy
So sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences to you , Ersilla and your family at this time. May your memories help you through in the days to come. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Take care.
Cherry
So sorry for your loss !!!
Dear Patsy and family,
So sorry to hear of Vince’s passing.
I can see he lived a full and rewarding life.
Your love and dedication to Vince was unwavering and done with total commitment and loyalty to his care.
You served him well.
My heart goes out to you.
Debbie Walsh
DINO AND FAMILY. SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR FATHERS PASSING.HE WAS A VERY WELL RESPECTED CHEF AND WILL BE MISSED..HOPING ALL THE GOOD MEMORIES WILL HELP YOU ALL GET THROUGH THIS TIME OF SORROW
My thoughts and prayers are with the DiNillo family. So sad to hear of Uncle Vince passing. I haven’t had the privilege of visiting with him for many years but he was never very far away. I have him to thank for getting me started in life right out of high school. He was always so kind and was so good to me and our family. I have always been grateful for his leadership and kindness. May you Rest In Peace Uncle Vince. You will always be in my heart ❤️. Love to all the family.
????so sorry to hear
We had a lot of laughs together and a lot of tears!!
The jokes to the hospital visits….
The memories are gifts I’ll always treasure.
Thinking of you all and God Bless
Rest in Eternal peace Chef……sincere condolences to Patsy and Ersilla and all of Vince’s family..
Romano and the Di Nillo family :
We are so sorry to hear of your Father’s, passing. Our deepest condolences to you, your Mother and Family.
Patsy and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Vince. My heartfelt condolences to all of you.
Becky
Condolences from the Chefs in Prince Edward Island. Vince was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by many.
My condolences to the entire Family. Vince may you rest in peace. All your help and support during my stint in Newfoundland 85-91 was always appreciated. You be missed but forever in our hearts.
RIP uncle Vince…so glad I got to see you a few years ago in St. John’s…….May you fly high with the angels…God Speed ♥️????????
So sorry to hear Patsy. Condolences to you and your family. Take care.
Jeff
So very sorry to hear of Chef DiNillo’s passing!! His contribution to the NL Chef’s Association will not be forgotten!! Rest in peace my friend!!
Ersilia,
I am so very so to hear of your father’s passing. Know that I am thinking about you and your family at this difficult time. Hold all your memories tight and continue to share them.????
Tara Barrington and family
To Patsy and family,
Cliff and I offer our sincere condolences on the passing of your loved one. We know he will be greatly missed. Your wonderful memories and love and support of your friends and staff will be an immense help as you move through this sad time. Take care.
Sincerely,
Carol Ann and Cliff Rideout