19 February 2025

Vincent Dirienzo, Jr. was born on December 8, 1927, to Elizabeth (Wernig) and Vincent Dirienzo in Madison, Wisconsin. He was baptized at Blessed Sacrament Parish, where he attended grade school from 1932 to 1940. He then went to Madison West High School, graduating in 1945. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a degree in chemical engineering in 1950. Following graduation, Vince served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952, working on chemical weaponry. He achieved the rank of Private First Class and was honorably discharged in October 1952. After his military service, he returned to Madison, where he joined his twin brothers and father as a building contractor.
In 1962, Vince discerned a vocation to life as a Dominican cooperator brother and entered the novitiate at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in River Forest, Illinois. He received the habit on March 10, 1963, and the religious name of Ignatius. On March 11, 1964, he professed first vows at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in River Forest in the hands of Fr. John Gerard O’Connell, O.P. In 1968, he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque, Iowa, where he also made his solemn profession on March 11, 1970, in the hands of Fr. Richard Weber, O.P. There, he served as Director of Buildings and Grounds. In 1980, Br. Vince was reassigned to his home parish of Blessed Sacrament in Madison and continued his ministry as the plant manager for the parish and school. He remained there for over forty years, deeply involved in the life of the parish community. He felt a strong concern for those often overlooked by society and was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, working to support local families in need. He became subprior in 1993, one of the first cooperator brothers to hold a leadership position in the community.

Due to declining health, he moved to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago in September 2022. He passed away on February 19, 2025, at Ascension Resurrection Life Center after a long bout with pneumonia. Br. Vince was known for his quiet and steady presence. He had a special interest in the intersection of faith and science and remained intellectually curious throughout his life. Although an introvert by nature, Br. Vince had a dry wit and keen insights and is remembered for his quiet dedication, humility, and steadfast service.

Office of the Dead and Mass of Christian Burial were held at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish on February 26, 2025. Rev. Donald Goergen, O.P., presided and Rev. Samuel Hakeem, O.P., preached. Br. Edward van Merrienboer, O.P., gave a moving reflection of his 67 years of friendship with Br. Vince before the Mass and presided over burial services at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison, where Br. Vince was laid to rest on February 28, 2025.