Vincent Oral Love

MADISON/BARAB00-Vincent Oral “Vince” Love finished his earthbound journey on Thursday, July 24, 2014, in peace with his family by his side at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born in Kennett, Mo., to Thomas Edwin Love and Mary Belle Adams on Feb. 13, 1921 (according to his mother, or Feb. 12 according to officialdom). As a small child he helped support the family by picking cotton, towing a 9 ft. cotton sack behind him and he and his siblings were thrilled to get an apple or orange in their Christmas stockings. Vince worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps and, in 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific. Training as a navy Radioman brought him to Madison, where he met his forever love at a dance. He married Yvonne Carolyn Cairns on April 18, 1945, in Madison, and spent the next 69 years believing she was, “the most beautiful woman I ever met…and still is.” Settling in Madison, where winters were always too cold for this Missouri boy, he learned the trade of masonry and he and Yvonne raised four children. He was a lifetime member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Local 13, serving as Financial Secretary for many years and was proud to have been part of the initiative to secure insurance and retirement benefits for union members. Vince retired from the University of Wisconsin Physical Plant and at last, he and Yvonne were able to travel the western states in their camper, spending winters in South Texas and warmer months at “the Cottage”, near Baraboo. The past three years they made their home at Oak Park Place in Baraboo where, despite declining memory and physical health, he still could make you smile with a spot-on funny remark, appreciate all that staff did for him and be talked (easily) into going out for his favorite, biscuits and gravy (with maybe an apple pie chaser.) Vince is survived by his wife, Yvonne; a daughter, Carolyn (former husband, Russ Rudolph) Love; and sons, John (Jamie), Todd (Tricia) and James. He is also survived by grandchildren, Nathan (Rebecca Lawrence) and Brendan Rudolph; April (fiancé, Joshua Fitzpatrick) Love, Kathrin (Jacob) Russell, Lyndsey (Matthew) Backstrom, Lacy (Patrick) O’Farrell, and Samantha Love; three great-granddaughters; a step-great granddaughter; brothers, William and Howard; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Milford and Dallas; sisters, Vivian McFatridge and Laura Ramsey; cherished daughter-in-law, Janet; and an infant great- grandson. He went about his life modestly, providing for his family above all else, rising above his poor beginnings, serving his country, advocating for his union brothers and sisters, and thankful for all the good fortune he believed he had. Well done, Dad! A celebration of Vince’s life will be held at his beloved cottage at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to your favorite charity or the next time you hear an old country or bluegrass song, tap your foot, smile and give a thought to him. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.