Joe Louis Vignali

Joe Louis Vignali — husband, father, brother and friend — gave up his earthly duties and moved on to his eternal home Oct 16, 2021. His wife Lynne, daughters Jessica and Krystal, and brother Jerry were at his side.

His abrupt departure, after a four-year, well fought battle against a relentless cancer, happened too soon. His presence in our lives is sorely missed.

When Joe was born, Sept. 8, 1956, into the family of Fred and Therese Vignali, he was welcomed by seven brothers and sisters born over a period of almost 10 years: Cathy, Chris, Cindy, Jim, Jerry, John and Paul. Joe was a gift to his mother after the death of Paul in 1955 and quickly became a welcoming bright ray of light for her.

He grew up as the youngest member of a loud, boisterous and tumultuous family that yelled, argued, celebrated, played and rejoiced at elevated levels. Perhaps this affected Joe, causing him to mature into a man that was content to just observe and listen to those around him, rarely offering remarks or loud comments. When he did share his thoughts, they added value to a conversation. In all of his years, when he joined in the discourse of politics, religion or life in general, he seldom offered any comments other than to smile, give a soft chuckle and say a single word: “Yup.” Rarely did Joe have a bad word or comment about anybody. I always thought of him as the “Quiet Man.”

When Joe finished high school, he followed the family tradition of working at the local lumber mill for a time. He later enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served a full four-year tour, the majority aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence, based in Norfolk, Va. Though the hours were long and the work draining, he managed to spend shore leave at several European countries, including his grandparents’ ancestral home country of Italy.

When honorably discharged in April 1980 he returned to Libby and resumed working at the local Champion International Co. lumber mill. He worked on the greenchain and as an edger operator (1975-1993) before and after his military service. He also worked at Barrick Gold Mines in Elko, Nev., as a heavy equipment operator (1994-2019).

During the years he was married to Roxanne, he became a stepfather to David Hopper, and a father to Jessica and Krystal Vignali, who he loved completely and supported throughout their childhoods and into their adult lives.

God brought Joe and Lynne together as one in marriage on May 23, 2012, culminating in a beautiful union of just over 10 years. Joe retired in 2019 and moved to Texas to be closer to family and medical facilities.

Joe Vignali. One of the toughest people his family and friends ever knew. He never complained about the illness he fought. When asked about how he was doing he’d just smile and say, “I’m feelin’ pretty good. How are you doing?”

In one of his last conversations with a brother, they discussed his decision to enter into hospice. The brother, aware of the true meaning of Joe’s statement, became overwhelmed and could not talk. True to Joe’s nature, he attempted to comfort his sibling, crying, not for himself, but for his brother who couldn’t say anything.

The battle Joe fought against cancer would appear to have been a complete loss, a battle made in vain, but as sometimes happens it can bring out the best in people. This was evident in our brother’s case. He had a fierce and loving partner that shared every trial and tribulation he faced. Her name is Lynne. Every time he tried a new medical procedure, she was with him. They shared the highs, there were a few, and the lows, there were a lot. No one could have faced those lows alone.

Lynne was Joe’s friend, nurse, cheerleader and, most importantly, his love, probably the only person we know who could have handled the tremendous burden placed upon her. They found each other at just the right time and she made his final years his best years.

Joe is survived by his wife, Anita Lynne, of Blessing, Texas; two daughters, Jessica Marie Vignali (Nicole) Moya and Krystal Jo Vignali; stepson, David (Brie) Hopper; sisters, Cathy Prichard, Chris (Steve) Moon and Cindy (Jim) Sutherland; three brothers, Jim (D.D.) Vignali, Jerry (Sharon) Vignali, John (Annie) Vignali; Uncle Emil Vignali;

Aunt Margie Lambert; 10 nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews on the Vignali side. On Joe’s wife’s side of the family, he is survived by stepchildren, Tonia (Michael) Johnson, Timothy (Shausty) Timko and Michael (Lori) Timko; Lynn’s brother, Arthur (Connie) Lewis and Andra Lewis; and 14 step grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and 12 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Therese Vignali; his infant brother, Paul; his niece, Makayla Vignali; and brother-in-law, Bill Lewis.

A memorial service will be held in Joe’s honor in spring 2022 in Libby.