Vincent Dollard, age 67 of Rock Hill, NY passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Vince was a lifelong resident of the area, and was the son of the late Vincent and Kathryn Dollard. His family and all who knew him, mourn the loss of a well known, beloved educator and businessman who has left us far too soon. The suddenness of his passing has created a feeling that someone special has been stolen from us.
Vince came from a family of eight children. Yes, one less than a baseball team. He was number six in the Dollard batting order. The special person Vince became had its roots growing up with six brothers and a sister, great parents and a rural, Tom Sawyer like childhood on Katrina Falls Road in Rock Hill.
All those years competing with his brothers and neighborhood kids in the field across from our house helped him become quite the athlete. You name the sport, Vince was good at it. He starred in multiple sports at Monticello High School and went on to play soccer at Orange County Community College and received a soccer scholarship from Alderson Broadus University in West Virginia.
Family background, education and life experiences, both good and bad, mold us into who we are and how we relate to the people around us. Vince must have had the perfect combination of each to become the wonderful person we all knew. The many posts the family received said things like he had integrity, and compassion, was kind and considerate and genuinely cared about people. This explains why when you spoke to Vince, he was laser focused on your every word. You always knew you had his full attention. He gave no quick answers, and there was always a small hesitation before he spoke to digest what was said before giving an insightful response. That is why when you met Vince, you immediately liked him. These attributes served him well in all aspects of his life.
They helped him become an outstanding educator. He had a distinguished 30 plus year career teaching science, first at Valley Central in Orange County, and then the bulk of the years were at Monticello Central School. Vince’s family members were very aware of how effective he was as a teacher because we all had the same experience with former students over and over again. Someone would hear that our last name was Dollard. They would then ask if we were related to Mr. Dollard the science teacher followed by phrases like “His class was fun”, “I loved having him as my teacher”, and the very popular “He was my favorite teacher”. Vince loved to teach and guide young people. Because of the way he interacted with everyone he met, you got a small window into what it was like to be in his classroom.
His positive attributes also benefited him in his business ventures. He and his brother Mike owned and operated the Fitness Factory Health Club in Monticello for 30 years. They also own Eagle Plaza which is the mall where the gym is located. Vince’s work ethic and the wonderful way he interacted with customers and staff were a big asset to both businesses. When it came to renovations and improvements, no job was too big or too hard. Vince was a worker, and when he got going it was tough to keep up with him. Vince was a kind and gentle soul who could light up a room with his ever present smile and hearty laugh. His optimistic attitude and the way he related to others was an inspiration. It made him the best dad, brother, uncle and friend you could ever want. Sadly we have to say goodbye to someone who meant so much to so many. Rest in peace Vin!
Vince is survived by daughter Brady (Dave) and son Vinnie (Tara) and grandson William who all made him so proud and he loved so much, his brothers Mike (Adrianne), Pat (Arlene), Tim (Susan), Peter (Daria), sister Alice (Glenn), brothers-in-law Bob Roche (Hope), Randy Roche (Holly), and his many cousins, nieces, and nephews who were very dear to him and, of course, his trusty companion Toby, his yellow lab. Vince was predeceased by wife Linda, his brothers John and Ed, his nieces Lindsay and Heather and nephew Justin.
The family would like to recognize Vince’s circle of close friends, particularly his golf group, and all of the great people he worked with at the gym. You were all very important to him. We know we can speak for all of you in saying you feel fortunate he was part of your life. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming number of people who shared their condolences and very kind words. We will be forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in Vince’s name to the Sullivan County SPCA in Rock Hill.
Vince did not want a formal funeral. He wanted something more casual. The family invites you to a celebration of Vince’s life on Saturday, April 16th, 1:00 pm at the Big Barn, 103 Mitteer Road, Hurleyville 12747.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello, NY; for additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com.