Nov 23, 2016 3 min read Bensonhurst

Gravesend Remembers Vincent Brace, A Life Cut Short By Saturday’s Avenue X Motorcycle Crash

The late Vince Brace and his Christine. Photo via Vince's Gofundme — The late Vince Brace and his wife. Photo via Vince’s Gofundme

The tragic death of a Gavesend father, husband, and valued neighbor in a fatal car crash on Ocean Parkway this Saturday has left the community reeling.

The deceased, Vincent “Vinny” Brace, was just 35 years old when he died this week. He’d been traveling north bound on Ocean Parkway, riding his black 2016 Kawasaki motorcycle, when a red 2013 Subaru made a left off Ocean Parkway onto Avenue X, fatally striking Vince.

Vince, his wife, and their twin children. Photo via Vince's Gofundme — Vince, his wife, and their twin children. Photo via Vince’s Gofundme

According to a Gofundme page set up in his memory, and to raise money for his now fatherless children’s college fund, he has two, “precious three-year-old twins who adored their daddy,” as well as his young wife, who is now a widow.

Together, Vince and his wife Christine, “were raising beautiful, loving, respectful little kids,” the heartbreaking Gofundme page reads, encouraging family, friends, neighbors or those touched by Vinny’s story to, “Please keep this wonderful family in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this tremendous loss.”

Vince and his twin children. Photo via Vince's Gofundme — Vince and his twin children. Photo via Vince’s Gofundme

Indeed, as of this writing, the Gofund me has, in just two days, with the donations of just 249 people, raised $21,621 — almost half of its $50,000 goal, which was doubled from $25,000.

“My husband is an amazing person! So humbling to see how he touched so many lives! The twins and I are so proud of him!” Vince’s wife, Christine, posted on her Facebook page, expressing exuberant thanks to everyone for their outpouring of support.

According to his LinkedIn, Vince previously worked at Coney Island Hospital, serving as a hospital police officer, ensuring the safety of the doctors and patients alike.

Comments on our article about the tragic crash that took his life, as well as notes on the Gofundme all emphasize how lovely and beautiful the Brace family is and was. Many seem at a loss for words on our site and personal pages, expressing only their deepest of sympathies and offering any help Christine may need.

Sadly, however, commenters also noted, and statistics reveal, the crash, while tragic, is not shocking, as Ocean Parkway is known for its traffic and dangerous cross streets.

Indeed, of the 83 traffic deaths that happened in Brooklyn in 2014, 25 of them happened in southern Brooklyn. In 2015, 26 of Brooklyn’s 69 traffic deaths occurred in southern Brooklyn. And Ocean Parkway is known for being hazardous, as evidenced by the numerous lofty redesign efforts current taking place to increase safety on the stretch.

Christine, we at the Bean send our love and prayers, and encouragement to the community to donate.

First visitation will be on Friday, November 25th from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Torregrossa Funeral Home on 345 Avenue U. Second visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m., also Friday, November 25th at Torregrossa.