Vincent Interrante

 In Tribute to Vincent Interrante

It is with a deep sadness, and at the same time a sense of celebratory remembrance, that we share with all of you, a few thoughts on the passing of our father, Vincent P. Interrante [7/1/39- 2/25/25.] Our family is so grateful for all the love and support we have received during these last few years.

The passing of our dear mother, Marion Interrante, on February 11th, 2017, forever changed the lives of so many of us. But no one was more affected than Dad. It was Dad who lost his best friend, his wife, his confidant, his rock. How he missed her. They were together for 68 years. 68 years of raising children, spawning careers, planning vacations, charting boat trips, organizing treks to watch his beloved Mets through wins and losses, and for two World Series Championships. Vincent and Marion, always together, always enjoying life, and always relishing their roles of being grandparents. It became an overwhelming challenge for Dad to live his life without Marion’s love, without her companionship.

Vincent will always be remembered as the 'musician'. A woodwind specialist, yes, but most known for his tenor sax playing. Playing thousands of gigs from the Fifties, including American Bandstand with his own band The Ramblers, and right up until bookings as recent as 2023, playing lead alto in 2 Big Band's on the East coast of Florida. He was always gigging while he was raising his young family, and eventually became a long-time band director and music teacher to thousands of students he guided in their budding musicianship over many years. Most notably at Walt Whitman HS in South Huntington. He lead and directed incredible Jazz, Marching and Concert bands for decades, throughout which, Vincent became well known for these powerhouse music programs he headed.

Of course, he saw to it that his kids and grand children were musicians as well. Providing them with all they needed to be the best they could be, he procured the instruments, and the instruction. Stephen to North Texas for jazz, Ellen to Crane School of music as a concert violinist, and Vincent playing woodwind then brass in the famous LI Grenediers Drum Corp.

We would not be who we are today in music and in life without his dedication and total support of our personal growth and development.

All of his grandkids felt their granddad’s influence: in music, and in being creative in whatever innate talents they sought to bring forth.

Vincent is survived by his loving siblings John Interrante (Eileen Interrante,) Maryann Porcelli, Charles Interrante (Patty Interrante.) His 3 children Stephen Interrante, Ellen Sager (Richard Sager,) Vincent Interrante Jr. (Katheleen Inrerrante.) His 6 grandkids Rachel Witte, Stephen Interrante Jr, Jay Sager (Kim Sager,) Scott Interrante, Grace Leale (Jacob Leale,) Joseph Interrante His 4 Great Grand Children Naomi Galvin, Reagan Galvin, Kingston Harris, Miles Sager

Oh, and did I mention that Vincent was a HUGE Mets Fan? Loved his Mets. This made for decades of friendly (and sometimes less than friendly) wars with family Yankees fans.

RIP with mom dear father. We’re all on the same team now