Vincent J. Signorile

One of Vincent Joseph Signorile 's great passions was jazz and big band music. A true aficionado, he could be relied on to fill in the blanks of the whos, whats, and wheres of the many recordings he owned, his family said. He was also a gifted craftsman who could build almost anything, from custom-made furniture to gadgets that solved life 's annoyances.

Mr. Signorile died on May 24 in Westhampton of complications following an April 30 stroke. He was 87. Jean Signorile, his wife of 65 years, was at his side.

The Signoriles lived for most of their lives in Westbury and Coram, until 13 years ago when they settled in Montauk on Tyler Road. Their three children had lobbied for the couple to move closer to one of them, and they chose Montauk, where their daughter Susan Cortell lived, because it was where the family gatherings always took place.

Moving there allowed Mr. Signorile to take part in the daily lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Big Grandpa, as they called him, enjoyed teaching them how to garden and go clamming.

In the relatively short time he lived in Montauk, Mr. Signorile, whom everyone called Vinnie, made numerous friends because of his outgoing and gregarious personality. Ms. Cortell often said that although she 'd lived in the hamlet for 20 years before he moved there, it was her father who introduced her to many of its residents.

He was born in Brooklyn on March 28, 1924, to Paul Signorile and the former Dominica D 'Geralamo. He attended Brooklyn 's Aviation High School and enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduation. Serving in the Pacific with the Seabees for 26 months, he was the youngest of four brothers on active duty during World War II. After returning from the war, he married the former Jean Guida on Sept. 8, 1945.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by another daughter, Gina Saros of Centerport, and a son, Paul Signorile of Port Washington. Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive. His brothers, Robert, Anthony, and Nicholas, died before him.

Mr. Signorile was cremated. The family is planning a memorial service in September. Contributions have been suggested to Friends of the Montauk Medical Center, P.O. Box 5030, Montauk 11954.