Vincent Nicholas Del Piano Jr. Obituary (1939 - 2025)

Vienna - Vincent “Vin" N. Del Piano Jr, 85, passed away on September 30, 2025, after a long illness, at Sandy River Center, Farmington, ME with his beloved wife at his side. Physicist, engineer, boat builder, vagabond under sail, art dealer and finally marine oil painter, Mr. Del Piano had an eclectic and diverse life. He brought all of these to his Art. Born in Winthrop, MA, he learned to sail and spent most of his adult life there. After graduating from UMass-Amherst, he participated in the American Space Program in the 60’s as an Electro-Optical Systems Analyst and laser physicist. Another 10 years was consumed applying his skills as a boat builder and sailor. Following that he was owner and proprietor of an art framing gallery in suburban Boston. This latter experience led him back to his own roots as an Artist, which he had demonstrated as a child. Vin painted his knowledge of clipper ships, schooners, lobster boats, and dories with particular skill depicting wind and waves. Many who spend their lives on the water have commented on how accurate his paintings are. He once said; “The essence of my paintings comes from memory. I’m a studio painter. When it comes to painting the interplay of wind, sea, sky and way a ship or boat “lives” in its environment you can’t look it up…you have to have been there. Of course, if I intend to render a ship that sailed 150 years ago, I need to do some research to reproduce it’s detail, but it is the same ocean, the same wind, the same sky, the same wave under the stern, and the same spirit of the moment that I share with all mariners, modern or ancient.” Vin has gallery representation at the Arnould Gallery, Marblehead, MA and was represented at the former Art of the Sea Gallery in South Thomaston, ME. He was a member of the International Society of Marine Painters and the American Society of Marine Artists. Vin moved to Vienna, ME with his wife in 2010. Taking to homesteading with the same energy and enthusiasm, he renovated their home and took particular interest in landscaping, creating his image of a painting with the natural elements. He continued to paint well into his 80’s. Vincent is survived by his spouse, Diane S. Snow; his sister, Patricia Stathopoulos and her husband Anthony of Winthrop, MA; his nieces, Andrea Stathopoulos of Peabody, MA and Leah Lamb of Winthrop MA; and his great niece, Alyssa Lamb of Winthrop, MA. He was predeceased by his parents, Vincent "Nick" Del Piano, former Commodore of the Winthrop Yacht Club and his wife Ethel, both lifelong residents of Winthrop, MA; brother-in-law, Peter Snow of Wakefield, MA; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Snow of Portland, OR, Christine Snow and her spouse, Thomas Feraco of Spruce Head, ME, Michele Snow of South Paris, ME, and Carol Snow and her spouse, Jim Lash, of Dufur, OR. A small Memory Gathering of family and friends occurred on October 5, 2025, where many of his paintings were on display. Vincent’s wife, Diane, would like to express her sincere gratitude to the staff at Sandy River Center for their attention and care for Vincent during his time at their facility. Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.