Monday, September 2, 2019
Long time member and Membership Vice President , Billy Valishinas, passed away 8/27/19 after a tough fight with cancer.
Billy would be recognizable to our Reunion visitors as the Popcorn & Ice Guy but he was so much more. While Billy was not a Veteran, he poured his heart and soul into the VVB and worked hard to make the lives of all Veterans the best it could be.
We’d always bust his chops at meetings because, just for fun, he’d say the pledge of allegiance at lightening speed, trying to trip the rest of us up. He was famous for his poker face when pulling a fast one on you, and always knew when to let you in on the joke. He would sleep in the Quartermasters tent at night during reunion, just to be sure all was well. He would have ice fights with Mom (Linda), Donna, and Linda S., just to pass the time. He’d harass Suzanne whenever she’d slide by on a golf-cart about her speed, and would help with anything that needed to be done.
His hard work and dedication will be missed by all, even those who didn’t know him, as his work stretched far and wide. He will be missed by his fellow members intensely.
God Speed, Billy... You were one in a million!
Richard “Doc” Russo Suzanne Russo
President Treasurer
VVB. VVB
