Michael Lee Vincent died Feb. 1. He was born August 4, 1957 in Oak Bluffs to Francis C. Vincent Jr. and Marlene E. Maury Vincent. He was 50.

He was so tiny that he was flown by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital where he began his struggle for the next three months to attain five pounds so that he could return home. He was nicknamed Vinnie by all who cared for him, because he came from the Vineyard and his name was Vincent.

Mike moved with his family to California when he was barely a year old. For most of his life he lived in Garden Grove, Calif., with his brothers Dickie and Frankie Vincent and sister Lisa Lee Kinkelaar, his mother and stepfather Dan Kinkelaar.

He enjoyed family camping trips and gatherings. As a young man, Mike enjoyed riding motorcycles. He was active in Elks Little League in Garden Grove, where he was an outstanding catcher. He attended every Angels game that he possibly could. Mike graduated from Santiago High School and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he spent almost five years aboard the USS Ramsey in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets.

With an honorable discharge from the Navy, Mike continued his career as a welder. He worked for a time in northern California and then in Oregon. He became proficient at working and welding on high-tech aluminum masts used for racing sailboats off the southern California coast. Mike was very proud to be an active member in Plumbing Union 562 in Santa Ana, Calif. He was a certified steamfitter and pipefitter. Mike was also qualified as a medical gas installer in California until his death.

He was kind, thoughtful, compassionate and always generous to a fault. He admired family structure and was very proud of his family heritage. He had many friends who were very dear to him. His memory of people he knew and recollection of their names and lives was amazing. Everyone he met became very special to him.

Survivors include his mother, Marlene E. Kinkelaar; two brothers, Richard F. Vincent and his wife Susan, and Francis C. Vincent 3rd and his wife Debra; his sister, Lisa Lee Freeman and her husband Brad; his nephews Matthew Vincent, Jeffery Vincent, Brian Freeman and Michael Freeman; his niece, Stacey J. Vincent, and a great niece, Lexi Vincent.

Mike was predeceased by his father, Francis C. Vincent of Vineyard Haven; his stepfather, Danny Lee Kinkelaar of Garden Grove, Calif., and his half-brother, Daniel Anton Kinkelaar.

His family and many friends will always miss Mike in their lives. He left this world with his heart at peace, for that they will be forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Heart Association.