Obituary of Vincent H. Gerbrands

Vincent H. Gerbrands, a retired inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture, and active member of the Burlington community, passed away on Friday night, October 20, 2017. He was 77 years old. Vincent was born in Boston. He was one of three sons born to Henry and Lillian Gerbrands. He lived in Cambridge until his Sophomore year in high school when his family moved to the country, Burlington, in 1956. It was a big change for Vinnie. He had great and longtime friends in Cambridge. He loved Cambridge Rindge & Technical High School, but Vinnie adapted. He made new friends, worked hard to keep in touch with his friends from Cambridge, and become a part of the Burlington community. He furthered his education at Bentley University and Wentworth College before enlisting in the Navy during the early days of the Vietnam War. He served as a Fireman (FN) on the destroyer, USS Moale. Vinnie met a pretty Belmont girl, Adrienne “Cookie” Rossetti, on White Horse Beach in Plymouth and their romance blossomed. During his time in the Navy, Vinnie proposed to her and they were married in 1963. Vinnie went to work for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Safety Inspection Service. He worked as an inspector all over New England inspecting food, manufacturing plants, and markets. He retired after 35 years in the field. He was an extremely knowledgeable and hard worker. For several years he also had a part time job to help supplement his income. He spent many years in Jordan Marsh’s Electronics Department as a salesman. His part-time sales often rivaled the full-time employees' numbers. Vinnie, who reluctantly came to Burlington as a youth, embraced his new town. He was a longtime Town Meeting member and served on Burlington’s Ways and Means Committee. He was active in town politics; working campaigns and serving as the campaign manager for several candidates. He was a member of Burlington’s Civil Defense, which was an auxiliary to the Fire Department. His scanner was always tuned into the fire department, and he always ready to go when the call came. As a member of the Civil Defense, he assisted in the town’s preparedness programs, fought fires, maintained emergency equipment, during snow emergencies he plowed snow with Civil defense equipment, and any in other services which the Civil Defense could assist. He helped fight the big Chelsea fire of 1973 which destroyed 18 square blocks of the city. Vinnie coached Burlington Youth Soccer teams. He was a member and officer of the Burlington Sons of Italy. Outside of Burlington, he served as Union President and member of Arlington Catholic’s School Board. Throughout all of his activities, Vinnie always found time for his family. Vinnie and Cookie moved to Burlington in 1966. However, it was in 1976, that he was able to purchase the home of his wife’s dreams, only 100 yards away from his in-laws. This prime location gave their children the opportunity to have a close relationship with their grandparents. He designed the house and had the builder finish the upper half of the home. Over the next few years, Vinnie finished the lower level and landscaping, and installed a pool. To continue the tradition of family as neighbors, their son Mark, was able to purchase his grandparents' home. His children had a similar experience of the close bond that comes from living 100 yards from their grandparents. He encouraged and supported his sons to follow their passions and interests. The family's summer vacations were always spent at Mayflower Beach in Dennis. He learned to be a fan of BMX racing because it was important to his son. He encourage his boys in their careers and was always there when they needed a helping hand. He also loved being “Grampy” to his 3 grandchildren. He had a great relationship with his in-laws as well. He was a loving husband to his wife Adrienne for 54 years. They worked hard to give their sons good educations, fun childhoods, and opportunities as adults. When the boys had grown, it was Vinnie and Cookie’s time to see the world. They have taken 16+ cruises, some with their entire family. Destinations included; Caribbean, Spain, Italy, France, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Malta, Monaco, Sicily, Amsterdam, and Hawaii. Vinnie loved being on the water and cruising the world. Their home is filled with photographs and memorabilia from their many adventures over the years. This has been a devastating month for his family. As Vinnie’s cancer took over, his youngest son, Keith, passed from complications of diabetes. Vinnie passed on the night of Keith’s funeral. He will be laid to rest next to Keith in Pine Haven Cemetery which is only yards from his home. Vinnie was the beloved husband of Adrienne C. “Cookie” (Rossetti) Gerbrands. He was the loving father of Mark Gerbrands of Burlington & his fiancé Laura Agostino, Eric Gerbrands & his wife Ziba of El Segundo, CA and the late Keith Gerbrands. He was the proud grandfather of Victoria, Grace & Nickolas Gerbrands. He leaves his brothers, Carl Gerbrands & his wife Susan of FL, and Paul Gerbrands & his wife Joanne of FL. He was the brother-in-law of Loretta Rossetti of Hudson. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 9am. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10am. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-7pm. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Vincent’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.saint-malachy.org