Joseph Anthony DeVincent, 71, of Red Bank, NJ passed away on June 20, 2026.
Joe was a loving, determined, political, and funny man. A Big Brother for almost 10 years, Joe also cared for little kids from many countries through the Rotary’s Gift of Life program. They would arrive here with heart problems and he made sure that they got to doctors who could help them. There are some wonderful pictures of Joe with these little kids, a big smile on his face and a happy child in his arms.
His energy and expertise powered numerous political campaigns. Another friend has said, "I was immediately impressed by Joe’s energy and political knowledge. Joe remains one of the most thoughtful political analysts I have ever known. Our political arguments were passionate but Joe was always respectful of everyone’s point of view. In the rough and tumble world of Long Island politics, Joe was truly a dynamo."
Joe graduated from the State University of New York at Albany. He began his political career in the late 1980's as campaign manager and congressional aide for Congressman Robert j. Mrazek. Later he served in various posts on Long Island including Director of the Huntington Community Development Agency, Deputy Islip Town supervisor, and Chief of staff to Suffolk County legislator James Gaughran. A friend has said about him, "Without a doubt, Joe was the best boss that I have ever had. He was a wonderful leader who made everyone I was able to learn so much from Joe.”
His love of history led him on many trips to seek out the childhood homes of US Presidents and Vice Presidents. A voracious reader, Joe maintained an extensive library on history and political biographies.
He also had a wonderful sense of humor. When a friend first visited him in the memory care facility, she asked him how he liked it and he said, "Well, I've never had so many women chasing after me."
Joe is survived by his first cousins: Dr. Carolyn Holl of Red Bank, New Jersey and Joanne DeVincent of Edgewater, Maryland. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Diana DeVincent.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of Saint Teresa, 50-20 45th Street, Woodside, New York on Monday, June 29th at 11 am. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 49-02 Laurel Hill Blvd, Woodside, New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Long Island Cares, the Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank. Their website is https://www.licares.org/. For every $10, Long Island Cares "can provide 6 nourishing meals to Long Islanders facing food insecurity." Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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