Vincent Luti, 96, of Westport passed on Saturday, December 20, 2025 after a brief period of declining health. He was the son of Vincent and Angelina (Basso) Luti. His education began at the one room Green School in Middleboro. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1952 and was a Fulbright Scholar in Italy during the 1952-53 school year. After teaching elementary school for several years, he began studies at Yale where he received his Ph.D. in Fine Arts. He taught Music Theory at UMass Dartmouth for 30 years.
In the 1970s Vincent became interested in early American gravestone carving. Over the next 50 years he wrote many articles, gave lectures and authored two books: Mallet and Chisel, a history of stonecarving in Newport, RI and In Death Remembered, a history of the Taunton River stonecarvers. He was nationally respected for his research and knowledge of early gravestone carvers.
Vincent enjoyed foraging and gardening. He was an avid skier and cyclist. Up until his 80s, he visited Italy twice a year. In the summer he cycled and in the winter he skied in the Italian Alps. He loved Italy and his Italian friends and family. In later years he enjoyed a daily walk at Tiverton harbor. His brilliant mind, wit and love of life will be missed by all who had the honor of calling him their friend.