Vincent "Vinnie" R. Castaldi

Vincent R. Castaldi, 81, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2022, at the Hope Health Hospice Center with his wife by his side. He was born in Providence.  He was the son of the late Enrico “Harry Cast” and Evelina (DeChristofaro) Castaldi.

Vinnie had a heart of gold. He was always willing to help someone in need be it family, friend, or stranger. Vinnie was a hard worker always putting his family’s needs before his own.

A 1961 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Vinnie had many jobs in his early career from Florida to Pennsylvania to Boston and then back to Rhode Island. His friends would jokingly ask where he was “appearing this week” as he enjoyed new culinary adventures. He retired after 32 years of state service as a chef from Rhode Island College, the last 18 years providing meals at the Henry Barnard School. Vinnie would research cuisine from different countries creating a monthly International Day where he provided the children an opportunity to sample food of their native country.  “Chef Vinnie” was loved by all the students, and they honored him with a special pasta dinner which touched his heart.

He was the former owner and sculptor of Ice Fantasy, creating beautiful ice sculptures for weddings, parties, and various other gatherings.  Vinnie was a diehard New York Giants fan and proudly wore his team jacket everywhere, even in Cape Cod! In his youth, Vinnie played baseball, hockey, and football. But his greatest enjoyment was dancing with Linda from the day they met. It wasn’t unusual for them to be out dancing three or four nights a week. He was affectionately referred to as “rubber legs”.

Vinnie is survived by Linda his wife, best friend, and soulmate and their son, Steven and his wife Jennifer and their daughter, Julia of Greenville. He is also survived by his daughter Elizabeth Manzo, Vincent Castaldi and his partner, John (Joao) Filho, and son, David Castaldi all of Cranston.  He was the brother of John Castaldi of West Warwick, and Maria Ferreira of Florida. He was the brother-in-law of Carole Ginolfi of Johnston. He was the son-in-law of the late John and Mary Ginolfi, and the brother-in-law of the late Johanne and Vincent Polisena.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday November 29, 2022, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Church, 15 George Waterman Rd., Johnston. Burial will be private. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. VISITING HOURS are respectfully omitted. Donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38015 or to HopeHealth and Palliative Care, 1095 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904. For online condolences please visit NARDOLILLO.COM.