Vincent James Bankoski

It is with profound sadness that we share that Vince Bankoski of Cary, NC passed away on Sunday, June 9th. Vince passed peacefully, surrounded by his wife, all five of his children, and some very dear extended family members. ~ Vincent James Bankoski was born in Middletown, CT on October 31, 1942 to Vincent Jacob Bankoski and Ann Teresa (Wichrowski) Bankoski. Employment opportunities for both his mom and dad at a fledgling business machine company (IBM) saw the family move to Poughkeepsie, NY in Vince’s adolescence; the house at 14 Kinry Road in the Red Oaks Mills neighborhood of Poughkeepsie and the surrounding area would become Vince’s childhood home and would remain an anchor in his life for several decades. Vince attended and graduated from Wappinger’s Central School where he was an outstanding student and civic-minded citizen for his entire scholastic career: Vince was the captain and quarterback of his varsity football team; disc jockey for the school radio station; Homecoming King (escorted by his future wife Homecoming Queen and captain of the cheerleading squad, Anja Sandell) at his senior prom; and school newspaper editor. This is just a snapshot of his high school career which established a solid foundation for the rest of his professional and personal life. Vince graduated from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, where he also started his long and distinguished career as a college educator and administrator. Throughout his career and life, Vince was able to meld and enjoy the rare blending of both vocations and avocations as he shared his life-long passion for words, ideas, and principles, mentoring both students and colleagues to become future leaders and, most importantly, thoughtful and compassionate human beings. Positions and roles included: college administration and teaching-instruction; real estate instructing and management; tech innovation company executive; and directorships on myriad boards and community efforts. Vince’s passion and intellect had broad impact and touched and inspired everyone with whom he came into contact. Vince loved and fully embraced all humankind: he was an advocate and champion for anyone and everyone who needed one, and was most outspoken for the most marginalized among us. Vince’s greatest gifts were shared with his cherished immediate family, to whom he gave much, and from and through whom he enjoyed his biggest joys. Vince was the center of their universe, inspiring a gradual migration of his disparate flock to gather and coalesce around him and his wife, Holly, in his adopted Containment Area for Relocated Yankees (CARY) in NC, a community in which he lived and thrived for thirty-six years. Vince had battled cancer - and won - some years back; and in recent years, he confronted and fiercely fought other maladies: each time he was knocked down, he got up again, and again, and again; though his lion heart and spirit never flagged, his vessel of a body could no longer keep up and finally betrayed him. And so now he enriches the Greater Realm surrounding us all - and we will all be better for it: our force of nature is now A Force Of Nature. Vince is survived by his loving wife of nine years, Karen; his sister, Carol; his five children: Vinson, Gregory, James, Cynthia, and Robert; his two bonus children: Carly and Trae; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and one fur baby, Petra. Vince was predeceased by Holly (LaBorde) Bankoski, his partner and wife of thirty-four years; grandson Jacob Bankoski; niece Jodi Marcovics; and fur baby Marshall. ~ A ceremony in honor and celebration of Vince’s life will be held Friday, June 21, 2024 at Wake Memorial Park in Cary, NC. (7002 Green Hope School Road, Cary NC 27519). Family will receive friends and general public from 1:00PM-3:00PM. A private service for family and those closest to the family will follow immediately thereafter. ~ In Appreciation: Our Family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of the Transitions Hospice Home of Raleigh, NC, whose caring, kindness and concern ensured that Vince’s passing was peaceful. Please send any gifts on Vince’s behalf to the Transitions Hospice Home of Raleigh, Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC. (www.transitionslifecare.org)

Vincent James Bankoski

October 31, 1942 - June 9, 2024