Vincent Anthony Ottalagano

Vincent Anthony Ottalagano, 66, of Gloversville, N.Y., a local icon and businessman who owned and operated Vishnu Music for more than two decades, passed away Monday after a courageous fight with cancer. In his final days, he was surrounded by his children, grandchildren, extended family members and best friends. Born Aug. 29, 1950, to his loving and supportive parents, Theresa Bardascini Ottalagano and Gregory S. Ottalagano, he was named after his paternal grandfather. He had an older brother, Richard Ottalagano. Vince was a devoted father who put family above everything else. He was extremely dedicated to his parents, children and grandchildren. He provided humor, fun, a dash of quirkiness and, most importantly, a deep love and unconditional support to those he cared about. A beloved "fix-it guy," he could mend anything, from a broken guitar to a broken heart. He was an easy talker, willing to converse with loved ones, friends or strangers for hours at a time. He was also a creator, a builder, a woodworker. And he was a talented musician who loved to play guitar and a caring teacher with a deep knowledge of musical theory. His parents encouraged his passion for music. When Vince was a teenager, his father managed his son's most successful high school band, The Belvederes. The group won several Battle of the Band contests and even appeared on a television show called "Twista Rama USA" to perform the 1960s hit "Secret Agent Man." In the early 1990s, Vince played rhythm guitar in a local band Flashback, which performed at his parents 50th anniversary party. He enjoyed many genres of music, but especially rock and jazz, including such bands as The Beatles and Frank Zappa. Vincent was a 1968 graduate of Gloversville High School. He began working as a journeyman toolmaker for General Electric as a teen. After a stint in the military and other jobs, he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's of art degree in psychology from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1978. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in July 1970. After completing basic training, he served in locations in the U.S. and abroad. Drawing on his skills with tools and crafting, he repaired the service's watercrafts. He received multiple awards during his time in uniform, including the National Defense Service Medal, M16 Sharpshooter Medal and Good Conduct Medal. In 1971, while home on leave, Vincent married his first wife, Cheryl Burton. The couple resided in Germany, where Vince was serving a two-year tour of duty with the Army. After his military service, he worked as a machinist for GE beginning in 1972, as a nuclear machinist for Morrison-Knudsen beginning in 1974 and then as an industrial arts teacher with Changing Education Through the Arts, or CETA, at West Park Union Free School in 1976. After receiving his degree, he worked for Lexington beginning in 1980 as a counselor and vocational evaluator and as a consultant for Fulton County Mental Health. In 1987, Vincent turned his passion into reality and opened his first business, Vishnu Varieties, in Johnstown, N.Y. Shortly thereafter, he evolved the business into Vishnu Music, requiring a move down the road. As the business grew, he relocated it again in 1992 to its current location on Main Street in Gloversville N.Y., where he was present until the final weeks of his life when his illness made it impossible for him to work. Vincent was predeceased by his parents and brother. He is survived by his three children, Nicole (Ron) DeLorenzo of Johnstown, Colleen (Gabriel) McGarry of Slingerlands, and Amanda (Joszef) Boyer of Gloversville; and several grandchildren, Stephanie and Kayla DeLorenzo, Aidan and Grayson V. McGarry, Julian Ottalagano, Roslyn Chapin, Kacey Luft, and Valkyrie Boyer. His survivors would like to thank everyone who donated, sent well wishes, prayed, made food and did special things for Vincent and his family. We appreciate all your support. Calling hours will be at Amico Funeral Home at 150 S Main St, Gloversville, N.Y., on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family invites attendees to express their love of music by wearing a band, guitar or music T-shirt to the calling hours. There will be a private burial for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local hospice or to the Vincent Ottalagano Scholarship for a student pursuing an education in music at PO Box 1248 Gloversville, NY ℅ Nicole Delorenzo.

Vincent Anthony Ottalagano

August 29, 1950 - December 5, 2016