LONGMEADOW, MA - James Vinick, 84, of Longmeadow, MA, passed away on June 10, 2025. Born November 23, 1940, he was the son of Anne and Leonard Vinick. Known affectionately as “Big Jim” to family. Jim led alife defined by boundless energy, success, and service to his community. He was aman of purpose who did things his way—with pride, humor, and often in his Jaguar convertible.
Jim grew up in Springfield, MA, next to Forest Park. At age 32, he launched adistinguished, 50+ year career in financial services. Adisciple of Sandy Weil, Jim began his career inNew York City at Shearson, Hammill &Co, and Shearson American Express. He also held leadership roles at Dean Witter Reynolds, Advest Corp., and as Managing Director of Investments Moors &Cabot., Jim appeared for over 20 years on ABC Channel 40 anchor news desk. “The Vinick Report” promoted financial literacy.
Jim dedicated more than 60 years of service to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He served as Treasurer of the Hall, as well as a member of both the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors. He worked closely with Bob Cousy, Curt Gowdy, and others to develop the second BBHOF building in 1983, and then the current state-of-the-art museum in 2002. He established the BBHOF endowment and sustained it through difficult periods. In 2010, he was awarded the prestigious Chairman’s Cup by close friend Jerry Colangelo for his lifelong contributions to the Hall. Until his passing, Jim took great pride inhis work alongside John Doleva, President and CEO, and the rest ofthe team on behalf of basketball.
Jim was apassionate supporter of the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising money and awareness in memory of his son Jeffrey and in honor of his daughter Beth. He commissioned astatue of Dr. Farber and “Jimmy” that now stands outside Dana-Farber. He was proudly involved in organizing the Jeffrey Vinick Memorial Golf Tournament for 40 years, one of the country’s most successful charity tournaments, and received the Bob Cheyne Lifetime Achievement Award.
Through his work for the Jimmy Fund, he befriended Red Sox legend Ted Williams.
Jim eventually purchased the rights to Ted’s life story. Jim shared his love of Ted and the Sox with family and friends.
Jim was aBoston University alumnus, where both he and his wife Harriett were multi-sport student athletes. He was part of the building committee of the Boston University Questrom School of Management -Rafik B. Hariri Building, which opened in 1996. In 2000 Jim was honored as an Outstanding Alumni.
Jim was alifelong contributor to countless organizations. In 2013, he was honored as aBusinessWest “Difference Maker” for his efforts throughout Western Mass.
He was predeceased by his wife Harriett (Thal) Vinick (1984), his son Jeffrey Marc Vinick (1982), and his brother Alan Vinick (2022). He leaves behind his daughter Beth Vinick of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren Brent Hayashi of Tucson, AZ and Darcy Hayashi of South Korea; his son Michael Vinick and wife Stacey Nath- Vinick of Suffield, CT; grandsons Max Vinick of New York, NY and Ty Vinick of Cambridge, MA. He also leaves his dear friend Margie Koft of Farmington CT.
Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to The Jimmy Fund, BBHOF or any charitable organization.
Funeral service will be held on June 16, 11:00am, at Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 44 Sumner Ave, Springfield, MA, with burial at Temple Beth El Cemetery, 366 Kings Highway, West Springfield.
Shiva will be observed at 74 Prynne Ridge Road, Longmeadow, MA, on the night of the burial and the following evening at 7:00pm.