Local News

‘One of a kind’

Local businessman, coach Vince Inzerillo dies at 67

LEWISTOWN -- Vince Inzerillo, best known throughout Mifflin County as the owner and operator of Vince's Pizza and Family Restaurant in Burnham and Beaver Springs, died on Thursday afternoon at the age of 67.

Inzerillo, who relocated to Mifflin County in 1979 and began running Best Way Pizza in Burnham in 1993, was a beloved member of the community who served as a businessman, coach and mentor to many.

Well known for his friendly, welcoming personality, catchy restaurant jingle and countless charitable efforts in the local community, Vince's impact in and outside of Mifflin County was far reaching to more than just his family, employees and customers.

"My dad was truly one of a kind," Vince's daughter, Desiree Shipkowski said. "The strongest, sweetest man I know. I was honored to be his daughter."

Inzerillo's football career began in high school at Sun Valley, where he was later inducted into the Aston Sports Hall of Fame as a standout lineman and linebacker in the early 1970s. That success transitioned over to coaching as Inzerillo served as an assistant coach for the Mifflin County High School football team under coach Steve Hayes, while also joining Hayes on the Juniata College coaching staff with Mifflin County's Al Hepner in 2015. Inzerillo also had a lasting impact on the Mifflin County Tomahawks football program.

His time with both the Huskies and Eagles programs resonates deeply with many former Mifflin County athletes.

"Coach Vince was a great mentor and an even better friend," John Michael Maclay said. "Vince coached me at Mifflin County for three years and at Juniata for three more. He made every player he coached feel like his favorite as he touched so many lives, not just in football but in life with his positive attitude. Vince left a legacy that makes me proud to have called him a coach, but most importantly a friend."

"Vince was one of the most selfless people to ever walk this earth," Kyle Bargo said. "He cared so much about his family, his friends, the local community and his various football families. When he came on staff at Juniata, all of us Mifflin County football alums (John Michael Maclay, Colton Craig and Hayden Snook) were thrilled. We knew we were blessed to get four more years learning from such a great role model and mentor. In addition to Al Hepner and the late Steve Hayes, Vince made Juniata feel like home."

As a business owner, Inzerillo's efforts to get to know and build relationships with his customers is what set him apart.

"The biggest thing that I can remember about Vince was that he couldn't say no," Tony Bellotti, Inzerillo's former son-in-law and longtime employee said. "No matter what anybody asked, he could not say no. It didn't matter if it was for some sort of crazy donation, he gave everyone something. He was very gracious, a very selfless individual. He just wanted to help everybody."

Inzerillo is remembered by the Nagel family, formerly of Lewistown and now of Houtzdale, for providing and supporting their daughter Michaela while she underwent cancer treatments. Inzerillo visited Michaela in the hospital in Manhattan, encouraged her in her rehabilitation efforts and organized a limousine ride back to Lewistown for her and her family.

"He was a very good listening ear, willing to help in any way that he could," Andrea Nagel said.

The gesture was one of many.

Inzerillo helped Zoey Dippery arrange a surprise trip for her sister Taylor to watch Penn State compete in the 2019 Cotton Bowl and accompanied them to the Cowboys' stadium in Arlington, Texas.

"When trying to think of how to have an impact on someone's life, look no further than 'Uncle' Vince," Zoey Dippery said. "Kind, loving, caring, hardworking, passionate and emotional. All these traits are what our Uncle Vince lived by and displayed on a daily basis. These traits were shown not just to our family but to everyone he came in contact with, in business and in everyday life."

The Juniata College football program remembers him as a selfless individual who always went above and beyond.

"All I can say in all my time with Coach Vince is that he would do anything for anyone and he cared for everyone," Juniata College coach Al Hepner said. "He never thought about himself first. It was the others that he made first in his life. If it was in his home, business or football field, he made everyone else his number one priority. His love for others around him was abundant. His love has affected so many of us around him, and we will always continue to have a piece of his love with us as we continue sharing that with others in our lives."

Inzerillo hosted multiple high school sports shows inside his restaurant, most recently Big Lewie's High School Hotline show hosted by Brian Carson. The restaurant was often a spot that Dave Burman, Jed Donahue and former Sentinel sports editor Jeff Fishbein would gather to talk about high school sports. Inzerillo was a strong supporter of local athletics.

"Vince was a great guy who loved working with the community and student-athletes," Mifflin County athletic director Tish Maclay said. "He was not just a coach, but a lifelong influence. He truly cared about people and had a positive impact on many throughout the years. He will be missed but forever remembered."

Inzerillo's children and grandchildren have and continue to work at the restaurants, as did Vince's late wife, Carla Inzerillo. Above else, his love for his family and community trumps everything.

"He cared deeply for his business, but he cared more about making a difference in the lives of everyone, always worrying about others," longtime employee Amanda Kratzer said. "I thank the whole family for always opening up their family to mine. Thank you for sharing Vince with the rest of the world, because I know that every single person he came in contact with left a better person for knowing him."

"Most saw a big tough guy, but those closest to him knew how soft his heart was," Dippery said. "He loved nothing more than telling complete strangers of the accomplishments those closest to him had achieved. These stories were often told with tears falling off his eyes, because he really was that incredibly proud of every single one of us and our accomplishments."

Inzerillo is survived by Vincent Inzerillo Jr. and wife Trinh, of McClure and Desiree Shipkowski and husband Ryan, of McVeytown, along with grandchildren, Alexis Inzerillo, Bruno Bellotti, Giavonna Bellotti, Nam Shartzer and Blayz Shartzer, a sister, Joanne Berryman, sister-in-law, Mary Jane Hayden, numerous nieces and nephews and companion Lindsay Stevens and her son Aaden Stevens.

An obituary for Inzerillo can be found on Page B2 of today's edition.

Editor's note: Due to space constraints, not every submission for this story could be included with the print edition. More photos and submitted materials are available with this story online at www.lewistownsentinel.com.

Remembrances

"Earlier this evening we received word that our friend Vince Inzerillo has passed away. Vince has been such a huge supporter of our program and of Husky football. Several of our Tomahawk players were once Huskies and coached by Vince. He had meant so much to us and touched our lives. His generosity, kindness, and commitment to our community has been amazing. He will surely be missed. For those that had been praying for him, we thank you. This season we will dedicate a game in his honor." -- Mifflin County Tomahawks

"Coach Vince was an awesome guy. I think that anybody who got an opportunity to meet him knew how dedicated he was to our youth and helping them get the most out of themselves. He was generous, he was kind and he was loving in the short time that I knew him. I don't think I've met a nicer human being. I know that our players, our staff and our alumni are going to miss him dearly. We are sending out our thoughts and prayers to his family. It's tough for any family to do with and we all know the challenges that 2020 has presented to people around the world. This can't be easy for his family and our thoughts and our prayers go out to him." -- Juniata College football coach Josh Carter

"All I can say in all my time with Coach Vince is that he would do anything for anyone and he cared for everyone. He never thought about himself first. It was the others that he made first in his life. If it was in his home, business or football field, he made everyone else his number one priority. We would drive to many away games together with a small group of friends and stop for dinner to discuss the game and share memories together. It didn't matter if it was Mifflin County or Juniata College, his love for others around him was abundant. His love has affected so many of us around him, and we will always continue to have a piece of his love with us as we continue sharing that with others in our lives." -- Juniata College assistant coach Allan Hepner

"Coach Vince was a man that always made you feel like you were his number one priority in any situation. His love for the game of football was tremendous, but his love for people was immeasurable. I am very fortunate to have had coach Vince as not only a coach, but as a friend too. The world lost a great man, but he will always be remembered in our hearts. -- Isaac Maclay

"Coach Vince, you were an amazing coach and overall incredible human being. I will never forget how much you believed in me and encouraged me when it came to kicking for the football team and you made a huge impact on me. I can still hear you saying "Rhythm Baby, Rhythm" as your way to tell me to relax and do what I knew I had to do to get that ball through the uprights. Your personality was infectious and your generous financial investment into the ministry work I was doing in 2019-2020 with the CCO was again another way you invested in me and so many others. You loved and impacted so many people and taught me a lot about loving and investing in others. Love you Coach! "Rhythm Baby!" -- Andrew Traxler

"When trying to think of how to have an impact on someone's life, look no further than "Uncle" Vince. Kind, loving, caring, hardworking, passionate and emotional. All these traits are what our Uncle Vince lived by and displayed on a daily basis. These traits were shown not just to our family but to everyone he came in contact with, in business and in everyday life. Whenever anyone in our family had something of any significance going on, we always knew that Uncle Vince was going to be there. Birthdays, sporting and musical events, graduations, he was there (with tears in his eyes). Most saw a big tough guy, but those closest to him knew how soft his heart was. He loved nothing more than telling complete strangers of the accomplishments those closest to him had achieved. These stories were often told with tears falling off his eyes, because he really was that incredibly proud of every single one of us and our accomplishments. Uncle Vince, we have no idea how to get through the rest of this life without you, but we do know one thing. You would want us to wake up every single day and live our lives to the fullest. We love you so very much and please give Aunt Carla a huge hug from all of us. We will see you again some day, but until then, keep an eye on us." -- The Dippery Family

"We are going to miss our good friend Vince. This man was someone we loved as our own and we will forever be grateful for the friendship. We loved nothing more than waking up and heading to the restaurant to see Vince and have our morning coffee." -- Kerm and Dorie Whitsel

"Vince was not only my boss, he was one of my dearest and closest friends. You do not hear many people talk about their employers that way. I have watched first hand Vince help so many people without anyone knowing. He is one of the most caring, compassionate people I have ever met, from visiting nursing homes and attending funerals for customers. Any time you called him from the restaurant or on your personal time his response was always, 'what do you need?' never giving it a second thought. Vince and Carla were a big part of my life for many years. They watched me raise my family and grow into adulthood and I will cherish when both of them said on different occasions how proud they were of me and that I did good. Those words mean more to me than anything. He cared deeply for his business, but he cared more about making a difference in the lives of everyone, always worrying about others, even at the end, he was still checking on everyone else. I thank the whole family for always opening up their family to mine. Thank you for sharing Vince with the rest of the world, because I know that every single person he came in contact with left a better person for knowing him. I will forever cherish my friendship and love I have for this wonderful man." -- Amanda Kratzer

"I have been struggling to put into words how much of an impact he had not only on myself, but my two boys. Vince was not only an amazing boss but like a second dad, always making sure my boys and I were OK. I'll forever be missing that infectious smile walking in the door everyday asking me 'how are you today Cookie?' and me responding with 'how are you doing bossman?' He would always answer with 'I am rolling baby!' You'l awakes hold a special place in my heart forever. Thank you for everything and just being you. -- Kayla Brackbill

"When I was in college, I would work over breaks and in the summer when I came home. I remember one time Tony asked me if I wanted to be Vince on Saturday mornings. I said, 'what does that mean?' He joked and said 'drink coffee and talk to the customers.' That was my favorite time to work though, was when I got to be Vince. I loved getting the register, lottery, answering the phone, washing dishes and just helping out here and there. I will always cherish my days spent working at the pizza shop, the friendships and relationships I made there with co-workers, customers and the Inzerillo family." -- Jill Wright

“I’m deeply heartbroken over the loss of a truly wonderful and caring friend and boss. Vince had such an outgoing warmth that touched not only me, but the whole community. I will always remember him fondly, and my sincere sympathy goes out to his family. -- Kathy Myers

"Vince was a genuinely decent human being with a huge heart, especially for the student-athletes in the area. He allowed us to broadcast the show from his restaurant for years and always gave us whatever we needed. I will miss him. Vince was one of the good ones. Rest in peace, my friend. The world is a little darker today without you in it. -- Brian Carson

"He was always into sports and constantly advertised with us. He was just a big sports nut and we have a lot in common. He's in the Hall of Fame down here, he graduated from Sun Valley 1971. Entered the Aston Hall of Fame in 2018. He got involved as a coach with Steve Hayes, was involved for many years and the kids loved him. Everybody goes to Vince's and they changed their name from Best Way. He was the man. The passion, the intensity, it was just nice to have someone I could really relate to when I was up there." -- Dave Burman

"The community lost a tremendous presence when Vince Inzerillo passed. His love for family and friends and his passion for his restaurant was bottomless. I have numerous memories of stopping into Vince's and talking sports. His support for area athletes was unwavering. It was a pleasure to have known him. Rest in peace my friend." -- Andrew Bern

“Vince loved sports and he loved the local kids who played them. I don’t think I ever saw him more excited than the times he had ‘his’ kids -- the ones he coached -- appearing on the radio in his banquet room. And stuffing themselves -- except maybe the wrestlers." -- Jeff Fishbein

"I would like to take a moment to share my condolences with the Inzerillo family. Vince was a great community guy. Often times, I would call him with for a need in the community and HE NEVER TURNED ME DOWN! This community has lost a great member. We have lost someone that I respect. To Vinny Jr., Des and the rest of the family, the Pannizzo family and everyone at the Downtown OIP mourns with you." -- John Pannizzo

"I used green ink to write all my checks out and one day he said to me, 'Could you please use black or blue, my eyes ain't what they used to be.' He always treated everyone as family, he knew everyone's name and he knew all about your family and strifes. Would always wish you well. He was a great man gone too soon." -- Lori Rager Luckenbaugh

"I worked for Vince and Carla. They treated me like family. Best job ever. Vince nicknamed me Larusky. He had a great sense of humor. You will be missed by all you crossed paths with. Fly high Vince." -- Lori Kulp

"He made you feel important when you went to the restaurant. Once when I was there he came up to me and asked how everything was. I remember thinking 'wow I must be important' but soon learned that it was the type of person he was. RIP Vince." -- Carolyn Goodman Powers

"We are so sorry to hear this and give prayers to his family. He was a very nice man and always asked everyone in his restaurant how you were doing. God be with his family and friends." -- Ruth Clouser