Louis L. "Bucky" Vincent, 75, of New Bedford died October 16, 2004 at home surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with heart disease.
He was the husband of Izidora C. (Cruz) Vincent with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, Mr. Vincent was the son of the Pauline (Pinto) Vincent Veiga and Querino L. Vincent.
Bucky retired from the Merchant Marines after 16 years of service. A notable figure in amateur athletics, he was widely respected for helping and guiding area youth. Bucky was an all around athlete playing softball, basketball and semi-pro football. He also had a brief professional boxing career. He was a former athletic director for the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association and coached many sports in that program.
It was Bucky's work in promoting amateur boxing that received the most recognition. He coached amateur boxers as a volunteer for the last 50 years. He had trained many Southeastern Golden Glove, Regional and National AAU Champions, dating back to 1953. His most memorable fighter was Andrea McCoy, who was killed in 1980 in a plane crash in Poland on his way to a US boxing team exhibition. McCoy was a runner-up in 1979 AAU; runner-up in the Pan American Trials and the only American to win a Silver Medal in the Spartacid in Russia.
Mr. Vincent was later appointed the coach of the US Boxing Team which fought against the Russians, and led the US Team in its European tour. He also coached at the Olympic Training Facilities at Lake Placid and Colorado Springs, CO.
He was associated with the New Bedford Boys Club serving as a volunteer, Boxing Coach, Program Director and Assistant Director.
Mr. Vincent received many civic awards and recognitions including recognition from the following: William H. Carney Elks Lodge, Fall River PAL, USA Boxing Federation, Massachusetts House of Representatives, Massachusetts State Senate, New Bedford City Council, United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Vincent was also named Father of the Year by the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association who also made him an honorary member.
Survivors include his wife; 2 daughters, Brenda J. Gomes, and her husband John, of Acushnet and Kathleen A. Brown, and her husband Dr. Stephen M., of Milford, CT; a sister, Marie Elena Perry, and her husband Henry, of Dartmouth; 3 grandchildren, Karen DeMedeiros, Jonathan V. Brown and Jared V. Brown; 4 great-grandchildren, Aaron D. DeMedeiros, Jacquelyne D. DeMedeiros, David V. Brown and Andre V. Brown.
He was the grandfather of the late David S. Brown and brother of the late Joseph "Rookie" Vincent.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordTuesday, October 19th at 8 AM.Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Church at 9 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Monday, October 18th from 4-8 PM.
Interment St. John's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Bristol Community College Foundation, Louis "Bucky" Vincent Scholarship, 777 Elsberee St., Fall River, MA 02720.