Vincent Paul Generoso

West Point, 1996

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Anthony J. DiNallo, Jr. on July 9, 2005:

I gave him a shot because of my respect for my fellow graduates of the finest higher learning institute in the world. Eventually, it was much deeper than words can describe. Vinnie and I worked together at Merrill Lynch. He was the first (and only) person I have ever agreed to mentor. When I met him, I knew he was going to succeed - he was passionate and had tremendous focus on making a great career. He was on my team for one year. He made an impact on my team and our entire office that will last throughout the rest of my career and life Vinnie was full of a calm, thorough wisdom. For a guy who came into our business with very little knowledge of how the financial services industry works, he added value in so many ways. He made friends with other financial advisors very quickly. This is RARE. People in our industry are generally aloof because 95% of the trainees do not make it to their 5th anniversary with Merrill Lynch. I believe everyone could see what I saw in Vinnie. Everyone could see that Vinnie was a force to be reckoned with. Vinnie had his mind made up that he was going to make it in our business, and he absolutely would have. My team and career have suffered a terrible loss. I was with Vinnie throughout his battle with cancer, and never gave him much sympathy. I gave him tough love - I knew he was going to be fine. I never thought death was an option. I wanted to be the Friend who pushed him back to health, the Ranger buddy that carried his pack while he fought cancer. As a result of this, I never told Vinnie how impressed I was (and still am) with him as a person. Professionally and personally he was a man of great depth, a highly principled and deeply valued man. He was exceptionally rare. I am glad to have known him, and miss him deeply. Finally, Vinnie loved his family. He never had anything but sincerity and love in his voice when he discussed his wife, kids, parents, brother, and for that matter the people he considered his friends. My friend 'Your work is done...Well Done, be thou at peace.' Vinnie you deserve that, and I will do my best to look after things for you. Your True Friend, Anthony J. DiNallo, Jr. USMA 1988

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