Title VINCENT ANTHONY AGOSTINO ✅

At age 13, his dad purchased their 1st family car. Vince would religiously read Popular Mechanic Magazines given to him by a neighbor. He became obsessed with learning everything about vehicles. He actually dismantled his dad’s car, teaching himself how vehicles operated. That was not so fun when his dad needed the car for work the next day while car parts were scattered everywhere! His determination to learn about cars was very evident at an early age. He worked for Joe Church Grocery stocking shelves, learning to carve deli meat, and collecting empty glass coke bottles which paid 2 cents for each bottle accumulated. His goal was to work hard to buy his 1st car. When he passed his driver’s test, he became a delivery boy for Joe Church & Roma Markets, worked at Arlin Trophy and then apprenticed for Locola Plumbing until he was 18. He learned enough about plumbing so as not to be dangerous! Vince enjoyed his high school years taking automotive classes, running track and throwing shotput. He thought himself to be pretty good at sports until competing and realized he was only better than some of his teammates. He did not participate in clubs at school because of his work schedule, but in shop class he helped make a plaque representing his school which is still outside of his high school on the front lawn today. Vince wanted to join the Air Force in 1958 but was rejected due to a pilonidal cyst near his tailbone. He was disappointed and shocked that a cyst kept him out. After graduating from North Plainfield High School in 1958, he started with General Brass in Hillside, NJ where he learned to manage and correct company problems earning $1.38 per hour. Plus the ladies were always hitting on him which he said he did not like, but we all know that’s not true! Layoffs came at General Brass and Vince had seniority. A buddy working with him had a family to support so Vince requested to give him his position. That type of compassion and generosity were traits during his lifetime. Vince’s dad loved making homemade wine and spaghetti sauce. His sister, Marie, explained how they squeezed juice from the grapes into barrels to ferment. Vince called their wine the truth serum! They did the same with cooking tomato sauce and bottling it to always have fresh on hand. It was a yummy family affair! There was always beautiful music in their home. PaPa Agostino was a remarkable mandolin player who got his children interested in music early on. All of Vince’s jobs paid off when he bought his 1st guitar. He actually picked up Chic’s Jazzmaster guitar and decided he wanted one for himself. Vince did not have enough money for that jazz guitar so the salesman convinced him to purchase a new Fender Stratocaster. Jimi Hendrix made that guitar famous. Vince learned his style on that guitar while listening to the Ventures. He also enjoyed playing music at family events with his dad, brother and sister. They played at Italian picnics, weddings, and Sunday gatherings at mom/dad Agostino's, always having a music jam after a delicious Rosa meal! Vince and Chic eventually formed a band together but also played in other bands. His interest in music was wide due to his dad’s influences. He enjoyed every style, but rock n’ roll was his favorite. He saw several big names in concert in one night, such as, the Big Bopper, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard. He envied the artistic brilliance of many musicians and studied McCartney, Elvis, VanHalen, Beatles, Eagles, Beach Boys, Jimi, Creedence, B.B., Perry Como, Sinatra, Billy Joel, ABBA and one hit wonders, all of whom intrigued him to study lyrics which could transcend a simple song to a very meaningful message. During his early music era, he joined a band called “Geno & the Encores.” They opened for lots of bands and met many, such as, Shirelle’s and Brian Hyland. Geno Viscione was the singer. They were going to a gig and Geno became sick with the flu. It was snowing, freezing cold and they were driving to play in Atlantic City on the Steel Pier. Geno looked at Vince & said, “I can’t do this, I am too sick. Vince, you look