Virgil Dominick Vinecki, age 86, of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan.
He was born the son of Frank and Gertrude (Swieika) Vinecki, on August 24, 1934.
Virgil was a life-long resident of Gaylord, Michigan, and married Theresa (Slivinski), on October 5, 1962. They lived happily together for 57 years until Theresa passed away on February 21, 2020.
Virgil had many passions and talents. He began playing music as a young man and played drums with the Polka Kings. Later, he was part of the duo, “Jack and Virgil”. He worked at Standard Products as a journeyman but, his greatest love was for the auctioneering business. He was an active member of the Michigan Auctioneers Association. Virgil held live auctions for over 62 years across the state.
Virgil was an active parishioner of St. Mary Cathedral and a Golden Age member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1825.
Virgil was a very active man. He was a giving person of his time and love for others. Always willing to help and be there for friends and family when there was a project involved. He looked forward to deer hunting season and ice fishing. Those hobbies along with the ability to fix almost anything made him the go-to guy. Virgil’s family will fondly remember his stories of years gone by, never missing a detail.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa; son, Michael; brothers, Jack, Kenny, Jim, and sister, Monica Norton.
Virgil is survived by his children, Rick (Alicia) of Grand Rapids, MI, and Brenda (Dan) Kwapis of Johannesburg, MI; daughter-in-law, Dawn Estelle of Salem, OR.; grandchildren, Lucas, Maria, Olivia, Julia, Alexander, Nick, Anthony, Isabella, Jordan, Justen, Makayla, Yukon, Winter, Magnum, and Ruger; brother, Ted (Marge), Edward, and sister, Pat Reno.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 19, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. from St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Cathedral Families in Need,(by clicking the link provided) or mailed to St. Mary Cathedral, 606 North Ohio Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735.
Due to COVID restrictions, precautions and social distancing will be practiced. Those wishing to participate virtually can do so via this link, Live Stream the service (by clicking the link provided) from St. Mary Cathedral, Gaylord, MI.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
24 comments on “Virgil Vinecki”
Good friend, may he rest in peace.
To the family of Virgil, we are so very sorry for the loss of your father, what a wonderful gentleman he was and now he is with his wonderful wife and God. We will surely miss him sitting in the back of the church at 9:00 a.m. Mass. Know that you are in our prayers and thoughts.
An auctioneer myself, Virgil was always someone I admired as a child, and adult. Good guy all the way around, and a fine auctioneer. So sorry for the loss, and may GOD’s peace rest upon his family.
Todd Respecki
Ricky and family,
So sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a good person and now is back with the love of his life in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
Rest In Peace Uncle Virgil!
Dear Vinecki Family, I’m so sorry for your loss of Virgil. I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with him while en route to hunting in Northern Michigan, nearly every November, for the past 30 years, with my late husband, Lawrence Jozwiak. He was a kind man with a welcoming spirit. I’m glad I was able to talk with him and swap stories.
Sincerely, Angie Jozwiak
To Brenda and Rick and all of Virgils family. Shocked and sad when I heard the news. I met Virgil at the age 8 or 9 when he came every year to combine my grandfathers oat crop. Attended and enjoyed the many auctions Virgil had at his property. Virgil helped me buy my first farm tractor where else but an auction. Virgil was a good man. Very caring and helpful, a friend and neighbor. He always willing to take the time to assist and encourage the next generation. He will be missed. Virgil was an auctioneer at heart, a true gavel man. We who knew him, will always remember, going once, going twice, SOLD!
Almost 47 years ago Jack and Virgil played for our wedding. A great job they did. A musician myself,I recall Virgil did very little singing. That was unless he had a auction sale to do. It was then, his auctioneering was singing……music to your ears. So smooth. I once said to him, he was a great auctioneer but there was someone better than him.”Who’s that?” He asked. I said ” your son Mike”. After little thought he said ” I agree” Those were fun days. We’ll miss you Virgil.
We are sorry for the family’s loss. We are glad he did many things he loved doing and appreciate him sharing his experience as an auctioneer and mentoring others.
To Virgil’s family. We are sorry to hear of his passing. He was our neighbor for over 32 years. May he rest in peace. We send our condolences and prayers for his family.
We are so very sorry for your loss! Virgil was the kindest man and best neighbor anyone could ask for. We loved talking deer hunting with him with a lot of “by gollys” flying around. He and your mom are dancing gracefully again! Our thoughts and prayers are with
You all
I am so sorry for your loss. Virgil was truly a good friend to my husband, Leonard and myself. I will miss his smile and hugs at church. I know he is with many loved ones. His tag lines were “son of a biscuit ” and “by golly. ” His expressions will always be remembered. Rest in Peace.
I am sad Virgil has passed. He was a class act. I remember several weddings I attended as a child and Virgil and Jack always played together. He was a good friend to my parents too, Angeline and Alex Czarkowski.
Rest in Peace
Thoughts and prayers to Virgil’s family! He was a beautiful soul!
Our prayers and condolences, rest in peace.
To Virgil’s family, we are so sorry to hear of Virgils passing. We were blessed to have know him. He was a true role model for many people who were fortunate to know him. His love for his family and his church community was truly an inspiration. We will miss his smile.
Condolence to Vinicki and Silvinski families for the loss of Virgil. I have known Virgil from childhood days and Threasa was my cousin. I went to a lot of polka dances and Vinicki auctions. The last several years we would see each others mostly in church at the 9:00 A.M. mass and we would speak to each other in polish. I would say Virgil was the lead usher. Virgil will be surely missed. I regret that I will not be able to attend the funeral due to other commitments. pokoj wam (peace with you). God Bless.
Our condolences from the Michigan Auctioneers Association. Virgil was always a gentlemen and valued member of our association. We always enjoyed seeing him and Michael at our conferences.
Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. You will be missed brother.
Rest in Peace Uncle Virgil. You will be forever missed. Thoughts and prayers to the family…many hugs and lots of love coming your way. ❤️
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was such a nice person. His auctions were the best. It was so nice to see the whole family working in them. Will miss seeing him at church.
Thank you for all the kind words for our father. He will be greatly missed.
From the Vinecki and Kwapis Familyl
To all of Virgils family. Although I did not know Virgil well, he made a big impression on me as I grew up in Gaylord. My mother Lucy would often take us with her to auctions and estate sales in the area as kids. I marveled at his enthusiasm and how articulate he was while speaking so quickly. I remember the bidding war my mom was in with someone over an antique brass bed that we so wanted for our farmhouse. My mom and I both screamed with joy when Virgil said going going sold to the lady right here!
I slept in that bed for years and years. Even after Victor Burzynski and I were married. Often, I would recall how my mom came to buy it on that warm summer day from the larger than life Virgil.., the king of auctioneers! I pray that our Lord will comfort you, knowing he is with Him.
In sympathy,
Linda Hlywa Burzynski
Very sorry for the loss of your Dear Dad! You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.