Lansdale Man With the 'Biggest Heart' Passes at 26; Community Rallies

LANSDALE, PA -- The Lansdale community has rallied behind the family of a local man who recently passed away.

A GoFundMe campaign in honor of the recently departed Anthony "Vinnie" Davidson has raised $1,640 from 44 donors in seven days, as of Monday evening.

"To anyone who ever met Biggs, you've been blessed. He had the biggest heart of mostly anyone I've ever met," said Mike Barrett, a friend of the man affectionately known as Biggs. "(I) also never met a man with better intentions. He was there without question, right or wrong, popular or indifferent. I called him a friend; and we all know that those are hard to come by nowadays. Please if you can, help his parents find peace, and also ease their financial burden during this tough time. We love you Biggs. Gone; but never forgotten."

Davidson's full obituary is included below, courtesy of Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home:

Anthony "Vinnie" Davidson, 26, of Spring Hill, Florida; formerly of North Wales, PA entered into rest on Saturday, January 21, 2017.

He was born in Sellersville, PA to Jarvis Anthony Davidson and Cheryle Ann (Aponti) Davidson, both of Spring Hill, FL.

In his younger years, Vinnie played football for Penndale Middle School. From 2004-2007, Vinnie was the equipment manager for the Wissahickon High School football team and was named “Biggums” by the players. He graduated from Wissahickon High School, class of 2008. Vinnie then attended Lansdale School of Business for 1 year.

He was a member of the North Penn Valley Boys & Girls Club in Lansdale, PA where he formerly worked as a Youth Development Counselor and was a player of the first championship travel flag football team.

Vinnie worked as a Laborer for Aventura Nursery & Landscape Inc. in Spring Hill, FL.

His daily routine included playing basketball, working out, lifting weights and hanging out with his friends. Vinnie liked watching football on TV and rooting for the EAGLES. He was an amateur tattoo artist and loved to draw and write. Vinnie was truly artistic with his drawings. He was an avid reader of John Grisham novels and enjoyed playing video games. Vinnie loved spending time with his nieces and nephews and playing board games with them, especially Monopoly and Dominos.

He drew his strength, confidence and his dreams from his “Queen” and the girl he wished to marry, Chantel.

Vinnie was considered a “gentle giant” by all who knew him. He had a great sense of humor, a smile that would light up a room and had loving and caring eyes. Vinnie was always willing to help others and put others before himself. He loved children and they loved him. Vinnie loved animals, especially his old English bulldog, Sadie Girl and his Mountain Cur, Bugsey.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a companion, Chantel Marchant of Brooksville, FL; two brothers, Nicholas Charles Aponti of Spring Hill, FL, Michael James Aponti & fiancé, Giovanna Schiano of Yorktown,VA; two nieces, Ariana Aponti of Spring Hill, FL, Alivia Aponti of Spring Hill, FL; a nephew, Adam Aponti of Spring Hill, FL; three uncles, James Fitzgerald & wife, Maria of Dublin, PA, Brian Fitzgerald & wife, Vicky of Bradenton, FL and Darren Fitzgerald of Pennsburg, PA.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 1:30 pm at North Penn Valley Boys & Girls Club, 16 Susquehanna Avenue, Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446 where friends may meet with the family from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: North Penn Valley Boys & Girls Club, P.O. Box 103, Lansdale, PA 19446.

Image via GoFundMe