Obituary of Vance DeRisi

Vance was a great friend to my two girls and I had the pleasure of coaching him for a few seasons. One of my favorite teams was the year John and I coached Vance, Leo, Molly and Ryan in soccer. Vance left us too soon, but from tee ball to quarantine in Stuy Town he left our family with a lifetime of memories.

We are thinking about you all and sending our sincerest condolences. If there is anything we can do please let us know. A huge hug from our family to yours. Much love, John, Patty, Sean & Erin

Vance was always such a light in everyone's lives. He knew how to make people laugh and never forgot to say "I love you." In the dead of winter, he would confidently wear shorts and a highlighter colored tee shirt...that was his go-to look. He was such a loyal friend and cared so deeply for those around him and we will never forget it. I will never forget dancing and playing music on the piano as he sung for us at the Radis house. He is so deeply missed.

Our sincerest condolences. Thinking of you and sending love.

Lisa & Keith Resnick

Dear Stephanie, John and Leo,

We are so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Vance fondly from the PS 40 days. We mourn with you and offer compassion during this time. May Vance Rest In Peace.

Warmest regards,

Lisa, Julianna and Isabella (the twins) Davis

Dear Stephanie, John and Leo,
Holding you close in my thoughts and heart. I am so sorry. Vance's beautiful smile will be with us all forever.

Sending my most sincere condolences. May you all be lifted by the love around you and treasured memories of Vance.

Dear Stephanie, John and Leo,
We were crestfallen to hear about Vance and sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. May hold and comfort you. Bonnie, Bruce and Wyatt

Dear John and family,

My heart breaks for your loss. I cannot imagine a kinder or gentler father than you John. Please know that you, Stefanie and Leo are all in my thoughts and prayers right now and forever. May god bless Vance in heaven.

Love, Kara, Christian, Ben and Theo

In tenth grade English class, I was lucky enough to be partners with Vance. While our teacher probably had the intention that I would help Vance, who for everyone's benefit, was often more focused on making the class laugh than learn, he helped me in ways he probably never realized. After we would discuss a question, he always encouraged me to share my answer to the class, sometimes even physically grabbing my hand for it to be raised. Other times, he would raise his hand just to proudly say that he liked my answer and thought I should share.

Whether it was playing board games at Vance's house in kindergarten or having an hour long chess match in third grade (the longest match of the tournament) or discussing A Tale of Two Cities in tenth grade, Vance always had the amazing ability of making me feel special. The quiet girl was no longer quiet, and instead felt encouraged, when Vance was around and for that I will forever be grateful.

There are so many more memories I could share but when I think of Vance, I think of the guy who was always putting others first, creating smiles through compliments and jokes, the man who encouraged me to be my best, and the one who, to my eight-year-old dismay, ended up beating me in what will be considered the greatest chess match of all time.

Stephanie, John, and Leo - I am thinking of you all and sending you endless love and support. Thank you for raising the man who so many people were lucky to know and love. <3

My heart aches for your family. I know Vance’s memory will live on in the hearts of many.
Stephanie, I am glad I was able to hug
and share a few words with you on Sunday. Our shared time together, with our young children, at St. Vartan Playschool are etched in my memory forever. Although we haven’t seen much of each in the years since, each time we did you were always super welcoming and kind. This left a lasting impact on me. Please know I am thinking of you, your family and wishing you peace.

Dear Stephanie, John, Leo,
We cannot possibly know the pain in your hearts as you process the loss of Vance. I can only hope this share will bring you some solace as we remember Vance. As Vance was an upperclassman at Elro when Petey was a Freshman, I recall hearing that Petey would report back to Leo sightings of Vance when the boys had downtime between baseball games. As parents we were never privy to the details, yet from a distance I could tell the bro sessions the boys shared are a rites of passage much like a fraternity. The boys will forever be in fellowship.
Deepest sympathy and prayers,
The Marinos
9176580458

Dear Stephanie, John and Leo,

It has been very difficult to find the words to convey my thoughts upon the loss of Vance, your beautiful, brilliant son with his own unique style of being in the world.

Children are not supposed to predecease their parents, in the natural order of life. As parents, you have been robbed of the hopes and dreams that you no doubt envisioned for Vance, and for yourselves. Leo: finding yourself suddenly on a path without your older brother is heartbreaking.

I hope that time, and various supports, will enable you as a family to come to terms with this devastating loss, make sense of this, and try to move forward.

Sam has lost his "wild-child" childhood best friend, and I believe that Vance's life and death will have far reaching impact on Sam, and the choices he will make. I thank you all for helping Sam to process this loss, and providing him with comfort and connection as he struggles with losing his best friend.

May you all be sustained by wonderful memories, and know that you are not alone at this time.

Sincerely,
Lydia

Dear John and family
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son Vance. Thinking of you and your family.

So so sorry John for your lose

So sorry for your loss John and Stephanie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.