Vince Matulionis

After outrunning cancer for five years, Vince Matulionis passed away at home, surrounded by family on Monday, September 26. He was 54.

Vince’s first love was reading. Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, he was the kid that always had his nose in a book and would ride his bike for miles each way to the library. It shaped him as a person and, in turn, he influenced so many.

His compassion and empathy came out in his professional life – whether running a Crisis Clinic in Iowa, community organizing in Philadelphia, or leading a Habitat for Humanity in Oregon, taking care of others and working to fight the inequities in our society was as the forefront. He spent the last 16 years working at United Way of King County to end homelessness.

Vince was new to the Vashon community, but loved it here even before making the move. A beautiful setting to walk, be with the dogs – and read. He was proud to be on the board of the Vashon-Maury Community Foodbank.

He will be remembered by many who love him and look up to him – including wife Marsha, mom and dad Janine and Ray, ‘little’ brother and sister Andrew and Krista, and nieces Lindsey and Lucy. And oodles of friends, including new-to-the-island (perhaps at his suggestion) favorites, Jared and Paige. Plus pups Maxwell and Duncan.

We’ll gather to celebrate Vince on Saturday, October 8, from 1:00 – 2:30 at Elliott Bay Books on Capitol Hill. In lieu of flowers or cards, we hope you’ll pick up a book – at the store, library, or off your shelf – that you’ve been wanting to read and get started – and think about Vince as you flip the pages.