Video Tribute To Lionel Vinas

Saratoga Springs - Lionel A. "Butch" Vinas, of Saratoga Springs, passed peacefully at home with his loving wife, Sydney, at his bedside.

Butch was born on January 7, 1943, in New Orleans, LA, the first son of Lionel A. Vinas, Sr. and Ruth Evelyn Paulson Vinas.  He graduated from Arch Bishop Curley High School in Miami, FL, in 1961.  Butch married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Sydney Jane Smith, on March 17, 1962.  He studied civil engineering at the University of Florida, Gainesville, before becoming a blacksmith in 1965.  Butch and Sydney moved from Queens, NY, to Babylon, NY, where they lived for 37 years.  Over the years, he practiced his trade at Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga Racetracks, as well as several others around the country.  He developed a stellar reputation and earned the admiration and respect of his peers and many of the trainers in the horse racing industry for nearly 40 years.

Butch and Sydney eventually found their way to Saratoga in 1995 and consequently, fell in love with the area and decided to retire in the Spa City.  Butch's retirement allowed them to realize their dream of traveling the country at a slow and leisurely pace.  They routinely packed the car and traveled without a care as to their final destination whether Kentucky or Texas or Florida or to visit family and friends along the way.  When not traveling, Butch enjoyed his crossword puzzles, developing a strategy (so he claimed) for his football pool and an occasional round of golf with his buddies.  He was also an avid history buff particularly interested in the Civil War.

Butch is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Sydney Jane and his four sons, Christopher and wife, Heather; Richard and wife, Jennifer; Andrew and wife, Robin; Michael and wife, Catherine and ten grandchildren.  He also leaves his sister-in-law, Patty Vinas; sister Ruth Ann Tapley; brother John and wife, Roseann; brother Tom and wife, Lori; sister Diane Dahmann and husband, Doug; brother Paul and wife, Elizabeth; sister Elethia Yetman and husband, Chris; dear cousin, Francine Fairchild; his sister-in-law, Kelly Roe and her husband Michael; brother-in-law, Francis Smith and wife Tomia; sister-in-law, Sandra Smith and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents; his three brothers, Gary, Jim, and Richard; his brother-in-law, Ed Tapley; his beloved niece, Jillian Vinas and his in-laws, Sidney J. and Audrey Smith.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7:30pm Friday, March 18, 2016 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Saturday, March 19, 2016 at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave. and burial will follow in Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave.

If one would like to make a donation, the family would request it be made to a food pantry of your choice.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com