1
tree
planted in memory of Vincent A. Harackiewicz
Obituary for Vincent A. Harackiewicz
Vincent A. Harackiewicz, 81, of Ludlow passed away peacefully on Monday after a long illness. Born in Ludlow, he was a lifelong resident and a devoted member of Christ the King Parish. He was the son of the late Vincent and Virginia (Saletnik) Harackiewicz. His greatest love and joy was his family. Vinnie along with Betty, his wife of 60 years, were proud graduates of Ludlow High School, Class of 1957. He was voted class athlete, as he excelled in several sports, earning many varsity letters in his high school career. Upon graduation, he attended Vaughn Barber School and joined the Army Reserves for six years. He became a barber, and owned his own shop, first on Spring Street and then on Worthington Street in Springfield. He did this for ten years and then decided to apply to work for the United States Postal Service where he worked for 33 years. He started at the Bulk Main Center on Tapley Street and was a mail handler for five years when a supervisor asked if he wanted to be a letter carrier. He tried it and loved meeting people. After 30 years, his last route was the Eastfield Mall, Parker Street, Boston Road area. Everyone knew Vinnie as the friendly mailman, or as he would say “Not mailman, but letter carrier.” Meanwhile, one day, someone said to him, “I know you like playing fast pitch baseball, but did you ever think about slow pitch?” He decided to take a try at it, got the knack of it right away and became a pitcher. They gave him number one on his shirt and that was his number with several teams he played for, including the “super team,” Dick Joseph. They played in many tournaments and qualified for the Worlds in Sacramento, CA and came in 13th out of 72 teams. He won nine state titles, six with Window Place and three with Dick Joseph. He earned five MVP awards in various leagues and tournaments. One of the reasons they were winners was the great camaraderie they displayed. His biggest thrill was having his son, Dave, playing in the state tournaments with him. Vinnie started playing with the Western Mass. Relics 55 and over league in the late 90s at the Ludlow Fish and Game. He loved playing for the Relics, especially the tournaments at the Cape, where they celebrated many memorable wins. He played with the Relics for more than 16 years and came to be known as The Legend. Vinnie was also involved with the Ludlow Hockey Association for more than 20 years, helping to coach his son’s teams and other teams in the organization. He was president of LHA for seven years. He loved attending Dave’s hockey games and Deb’s soccer games. He was voted into the Ludlow High School Sports Hall of Fame in September 2011. Vinnie loved going to Cape Cod where he summered with his family in South Dennis. While there he volunteered for the Pan Mass Challenge for over ten years as his daughter Deb was one of the bike riders. In later years he volunteered at the Ludlow Senior Center and Jodi the director’s nickname for him was “Pots” for all the pots and pans he cleaned. He loved his Patriots and the Bruins, especially watching the many championships they won with his family. He also was a member of the Orchard Athletic Assoc. and the Reunion Banquet Committee for many years. Vinnie will always be remembered for his “one of a kind” gregarious sense of humor that he exhibited to people in all walks of life. Vinnie was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Betty (Chmura) Harackiewicz. They were married on September 7, 1959. He was a loving and devoted father to his son Dave and his partner Mitzi, and his daughter Debra and her husband Keith. He leaves his dear sister Rose Klaus and dear brother Chester and his wife Virginia, several caring nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. Sadly he was predeceased by his parents and brother-in-law Walter Klaus. He was a proud and loving Papa to his grandsons Benjamin, Ryan and Matthew and granddaughter Natalie. He was also a caring “Papa” to Georgia, Louisa and Melissa. He will be missed by his two canine buddies, Fenway and Capuchi and feline friends Wobert and Lacey. The Family would like to thank the staff of Vero Wilbraham who cared for Vinnie with dignity, kindness and grace and the Beacon Hospice staff for providing care and support to Vinnie and his family. Funeral services were entrusted to Ludlow Funeral Home and will be held privately by his family. A memorial mass celebrating Vinnie’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Vinnie’s memory may be made to Friends of Ludlow Senior Center, Building Fund, 37 Chestnut St., Ludlow, MA or Christ the King Church, 41 Warsaw Ave., Ludlow, MA. For additional information please visit ludlowfuneralhome.com
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