Vincent Mottola

Vincent B. Mottola, (85) born to Benedetto and Antonetta (Altamura) Mottola in Providence, Rhode Island, February 26, 1930, died on November 1, 2015. Vince was the youngest of six children, his mother having passed away when he was 13 years old. A proud Navy man, Vince played in the Navy band to kings and queens throughout the Mediterranean. He went on to study music at Northwestern University and soon after met the love of his life, Mary Jane Vonderhaar, to whom he had been married for 54 years. Vince’s passion for music led him to a career in the music field where he put his talent as a salesman to good use.

Vince and Mary Jane moved to Crystal Lake, Illinois and raised three children, Lynn (Rockwell), Mark, and Lisa (Mottola Hudon), proudly building his own home and living most contentedly on Oakwood Drive for 51 years. Vince was a devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where he participated in the Knights of Columbus and sang in the church choir for over 30 years. Since his early days as a child, sneaking into Yankee Stadium through a hole in the left field fence, he had enjoyed the sport of baseball, proudly organizing his own Crystal Lake team, Garbe’s Rangers. In later years, Vince discovered the joy of writing—poetry, prose, children’s books—he spent hours at the endeavor. However, what Vince would most like to be remembered for was his pride and undying love for his family. He lived his life with Italian vigor—vibrant and enthusiastic, yet loving and soft-hearted to the core.

Vince is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Jane, and his children: Lynn (David) and their children: Amanda, Chad, and Luke of Flower Mound, TX; Mark (Ellen) and their children: Riley and Anna of Ridgefield, WA; and Lisa (Rick) and their children: Jessica, Shelby, and River of Crystal Lake, IL.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 5th, from 4-8pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home in Crystal Lake, IL, and a celebration mass will be held on Friday, November 6th, at 11:00am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, IL.

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