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Vincent A. Alba, 1925 – 2017

Gina Marie Balog-Sartario

by Jeanne Abatelli, TriCounty IIAA

Recently, we lost one of our most beloved and dedicated professionals of all times. After serving in the US Marine Corps during WW ll, Vinny Alba spent his entire career in the insurance industry including many years doing volunteer work for the Big ‘I’ associations. His biography would go on for pages, but here are some highlights……..

Vinny started in 1946 with the Whitehill Agency in NYC and in 1956 progressed to underwriting and marketing positions with Springfield and then Reliance Insurance Companies. He opened his own insurance agency in 1969 from his home in East Northport. Much later, he joined the MRW Group in Huntington as a vice president until he retired.

Vinny joined the board of directors of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Suffolk County in the late 60’s and served as its president in 1986-1987. He remained active not only with the Suffolk Big ‘I’ association, but became widely respected through his volunteerism with our Big ‘I’ state (IIABNY) and national (IIABA) associations with his tireless efforts in legislation matters and InsurPac collections. Some of the deserving honors Vinny received over the years include:

  • IIABNY Distinguished Award (for a record of fund raising for InsurPac) – 2004;
  • The Vincent A. Alba Lifetime Achievement Award, Presented by IIAB Suffolk in 2005
    (pictured below);
  • IIABNY board Resolution of Appreciation and Commendation for InsurPAC – 2005;
  • ‘Insurance Person of the Year’ Presented by TriCounty IIAA in 2007;
  • James R. Studgeon Award, from Downstate Insurance Associations Council, 2007;
  • Barney Burns Award, one of the highest awards presented by Big ‘I’ National, for outstanding fund-raising efforts for InsurPAC. – Presented at the National Legislative Conference in DC in 2008.

After a reluctant retirement, Vinny and his wife Teddi moved to Georgia to live with their son Ted and his wife Sheryl. Determined to stay active, Vinny built beautiful miniature violins for a hobby and enjoyed life to its fullest until he passed peacefully on December 12th at the age of 92 from heart failure.

While we mourn those who have passed on, we especially remember those who contributed so much for causes and the love of people. Vinny left an indelible impression on so many of us and for that we will remember him fondly with for a long time. At the family’s suggestion, donations in Vinny’s name can go to the Semper Fi Fund – https://semperfifund.org