HUDSON FALLS – William “Chaindrive” Vincent, 73, of Gansevoort, passed away unexpectedly, on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at the Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on January 15, 1944, in Albany, he was the son of the late Alfred and Margaret (Story) Vincent.
In 1988, he married Donna Jarvis. They have been together for over 30 years.
Bill, better known as “Chaindrive” to his longtime trucking buddies, started his trucking career at the age of 20, with old Colony Freight Co. and Spector Freight Co. in Albany. He then went to Eazor Freight, where he was a member of the Teamsters for 13 years. After Eazor closed, he then worked for a few years at Fort Ann Express. Bill was then hired by Finch Pruyn Paper Company, where he worked for 24 years, as their over-the-road driver, until his retirement. While employed at Finch Pruyn, Bill was nominated and won the National Truck Driver Of The Year Safety Award in 2000, for his outstanding driving record, with no accidents or violations with over two million miles, under his belt. Following his retirement, he helped his son, Dan with his business, A & S Pool Water.
Chaindrive was willing to help anyone at any time, especially when asked to help train younger guys for their CDL road test. He was especially proud of the fact that he helped his sons, Dan and Alex become truck drivers.
Bill had many stories to tell about all his tales on the road. He didn’t mind telling them over and over again to anyone that would listen. His family often told him, he needed to find something to do, in order to tell new stories. He also could tell you where all the best diners were located throughout the Northeast. Chaindrive met many people over his life-time, as a truck driver and was proud to call them friends.
Bill will be dearly missed by Donna, his children, grandchildren and the rest of his family. Alex and his father were so close, that Alex named his son, after his father. Bill also had a special love for his six grand-dogs, whom he was always bringing treats.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother and sister in law, David and Fran Vincent and his brother in law, Forrest Kenyon.
Bill is survived by his wife, Donna Vincent of Gansevoort; his children, Alexander Glessing and his wife, Amy of Fort Collins, Co, Michelle Sherwood and her husband, David of Queensbury, Daniel Gaulin and his wife, Jill (Liddle) of Argyle and Cole Vincent; his grandchildren, Kylie Goodbred, Matthew Goodbred, Alivia Gaulin, Sarah Gaulin, Carly Sherwood and William R. Glessing; his siblings, Margaret “Jean” Kenyon of Watervliet, Robert Vincent and his wife, Mary Frances of Florida and Ronald Vincent and his wife, Jan of Florida; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours will be Saturday, January 6, 2018, from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Memorial services will follow the calling hours on Saturday at the funeral home.
Immediately following the memorial services, all are welcome to a celebration of Bills life, at Kingsbury Fire House on Burgoyne Ave., in Hudson Falls.
In lieu of flowers, his family ask that donations be made to American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Albany, NY 12205 or SPCA of Upstate NY, 588 Queensbury Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804.