Vincent Grucci will be remembered. That fact is not to be debated.

He was the past president of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce from 2000 to 2003; Grucci & Associates, the financial brokerage firm owner; and former vice president of logistics of his family’s business, Fireworks by Grucci. He recently died at 58 years old on Sunday, Nov. 27, while on a trip to Colombia. He died from internal bleeding due to a ruptured esophagus and was cremated in Colombia. He is survived by his three brothers, Phil, current CEO of Fireworks by Grucci, Gary and Jimmy; and three sisters, Debbie, Collette and Michelle; as well as his mother, Patricia Grucci Perry.

Ironically, or as the family describes it, “divine intervention,” he died after being hospitalized on Nov. 26, the anniversary of the 1983 Grucci explosion. His father died that day during the accident. Vincent headed to the hospital the same night as a Colombian firework show and died a day later. His family believes it was his father welcoming and guiding his son to heaven.

“He was a man who had many big ideas that became to fruition,” said his aunt and godmother, Donna Grucci-Butler. “Vincent was a kind, loving person who gave a lot of his time to many different organizations and charities. He just loved helping people.”

“I will remember Vinny as a man who saw obstacles as challenges and setbacks as learning experiences. We used to call him the ‘Weeble Wooble’—you can knock him down, but you can’t keep him down,” his uncle and godfather Felix Grucci said, remembering him fondly. “He was a good man.”

“Coming from a big Italian family on Long Island’s South Shore, my relationship with cousin Vinny only began as adults. Finding each other later in life only made our bond grow stronger. He was a kind and generous soul, one who left a lasting impression on every heart he touched. Many hearts are broken today after learning of this loss,” said his cousin, Cheryl Felice.

“From our shared determination to turn Patchogue around, we became very good friends. Without question, Vinny was one of the most important and successful presidents in our chamber’s history and was an instrumental part of Patchogue’s revitalization we all enjoy today,” said current Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce executive director, David Kennedy.

Those were just a few of the sentiments shared by his loving friends and family. Among his many accomplishments, Vinny is known as the creator of the now-popular Alive After Five street festival in 2001; he also established the nonprofit arm of the chamber, The Greater Patchogue Foundation, in 2003.

Born on May 8, 1964, he grew up in Bellport, moved to Middle Island and graduated from Longwood High School. He most recently lived in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after living in Patchogue Village as an adult and frequently traveled the world. Before his death, he had plans to purchase a second-home condo in Colombia while on his most recent trip.

Vincent was charismatic with a big smile. He loved the outdoors and had an obsession with Elvis Presley. So much so, Felix said, that he was remembered on the XM Elvis Presley radio show as a longtime listener. He loved his family and helping the community. He was kind and generous.

Without a doubt, Vincent Grucci will be remembered by his family and friends. But he will also be remembered in spirit by the thousands and thousands of eventgoers at his Alive After Five legacy.