ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Major-General Vincent Francis (Vinny) Savino, Fernhill Park, Manor Estate, Dublin 12 on 28th August 2022. Peacefully at home in the wonderful care of his loving family and carers. Beloved husband and best friend of Catherine (Kate) for 65 years and loving father of Gina, Anna, Rosa, Caterina, Elena, and Franz. Predeceased by his dear sister Marie. Vincent will be forever loved and dearly missed by his wife and family, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, relatives, Defence Forces colleagues and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
Vincent Francis Savino, known throughout the Defence Forces as Vinny, was born in Dublin on 27th July 1927, his father Frank was a civil servant in the Department of Defence. He joined the Defence Forces on 15th November 1945 as a member of 19 Cadet Class. Commissioned on 10th November 1947 into the Infantry Corps; his first posting was to 4 Infantry Battalion in Cork. In 1952 Vinny was posted to the Military College as an instructor in the Potential Officer Wing and later in the Cadet School. Following a period as Staff Officer in the Quarter Master General’s Branch he was Company Commander B Company 6 Infantry Battalion. Vinny was then appointed Officer-in-Charge Press and Publicity at Defence Forces Headquarters for more than five years. On promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in March 1978, he was Officer Commanding 27 Infantry Battalion and later Executive Officer Headquarters 2 Brigade. As a Colonel he was Director of Operations and later Second-in-Command and Executive Officer HQ Eastern Command. On promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in February 1984 Vinny was General Officer Commanding Eastern Command and on promotion to Major General was Quarter Master General from February 1987 to his retirement in July 1989
Vinny served overseas with the United Nations on five occasions. As a Captain in May 1962 he deployed on a six-month tour of duty as a staff officer in the Military Personnel Section at the Headquarters of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) at Leopoldville. From October 1965 to March 1966 he served as the Welfare Officer with the 5 Infantry Group in Cyprus (UNFICYP) based at Xeros. He was an unarmed military observer with UNTSO from 1970 to 1972. Vinny was Commanding Officer, 44 Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL, from November 1978 to May 1979, the second Irish unit to serve in Lebanon. He returned to UNIFIL in September 1980 as Chief Military Personnel Officer.
An accomplished all-round sportsman he excelled at rugby, cricket, swimming, and soccer. He was the Leinster Under-15 Cricket team manager for many years. In February 1990 he was one of the founding fathers of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). He was Honorary President of Epilepsy Ireland, a connection that goes back to 1986 when he played a key role in establishing fundraising activities to support the work of the charity.
Reposing at his residence on Tuesday evening from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to IUNVA.
Removal on Wednesday morning to the Church of the Holy Spirit, Kimmage Manor, arriving for Requiem Mass at 10 am. https://www.masseybrosfuneralhomes.com/live-stream-masseybros
Cremation Service thereafter at the Garden Chapel, Mount Jerome. https://www.mountjerome.ie/garden-chapel-service/
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Vinny’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/vincent-savino-maj-gen-dublin-12-dublin/506302#!photo
