It was an immense privilege to call Vince a friend for more than 20 years, going all the way back to our time together at Juan Diego. Some of my earliest and fondest memories of Vince are from playing football together. He was an amazing athlete who played with a fearlessness and determination that, looking back, reflected so much of who he was as a person.
We stayed close throughout the years, from our undergraduate days at the University of Utah to both of us starting our careers and figuring out life along the way. No matter where life took us, Vince was always someone who made the effort to check in. He would often tell me how proud he was of me and what I was accomplishing, and that meant more to me than he probably ever knew.
What I admired most about Vince was his humility, kindness, and selflessness. He genuinely poured into the people around him. He was always there with a word of encouragement, support, or simply to remind you that he was in your corner. Vince was truly one of a kind and one of the kindest and most genuine human beings I have ever known.
Our friendship grew even closer when Vince and Nadia lived in Atlanta. I will always cherish our meetups and dinners together, talking about life, our careers, our families, our shared Salt Lake City roots, and how far life had taken us since those early days.
One of the memories I am most grateful for is having Vince attend my wedding this past summer. He was his typical self, incredibly supportive and genuinely happy for me. Looking back now, I am especially thankful that we had that time together and that I was able to celebrate such an important moment in my life with a friend who had been part of my journey for more than two decades.
It is difficult to put into words what more than 20 years of friendship means or to capture the impact Vince had on my life and the lives of so many others. I will always remember his heart, his encouragement, his friendship, and the way he made people feel. Vince was a special person, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have called him my friend. He will never be forgotten, and I will make sure his memory, his spirit, and the example he set for all of us continue to live on.
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