Vincent “Vinny” Riso, senior principal of the Bayside-based Briarwood Organization and a lifelong advocate for affordable housing and community service, died peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025. He was 90 years old and surrounded by his loving family.
Vincent was born on September 7, 1934, in Queens, New York. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sophie, and is survived by his two children, Lonnie and Daria; grandchildren, Roxane, Daniel, and Kelly; and great-grandchildren, Sophie, James, and Zelda and his beloved partner Georgiana Reese-Benatti.
Vincent, along with his late brother Raymond Riso, was a third-generation principal of the Briarwood Organization, a company originally founded by their grandfather Luigi Riso in 1912 as L. Riso and Sons Co. Inc. The business, which later became known as the Briarwood Organization, has long been a staple of New York City’s construction and development industry.
Vinnie was blessed to dedicate his career to his one and only passion: real estate. As one of the principals of the family-founded companies—The Briarwood Organization, L. Riso & Sons, and Briarwood Properties—he worked alongside his brother Raymond, his nephew James Riso, and his lifelong friend Howard Goodman. Together, they successfully carried on the century-long legacy of excellence established by their forefathers, developing and building enduring contributions to the city of New York.
Over the course of his seven-decade career, Vincent was appointed to numerous housing and construction advisory roles by New York City mayors including Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani, and Michael Bloomberg. He also served as a board member of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing and was a co-founder of the Queens and Bronx Building Association, where he served as president and later as a board member. He was also a representative of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council and served as a longtime director of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.
Vincent’s lifetime of civic engagement and charitable work earned him numerous accolades, including the Queens Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, the East Harlem Community Service Award, and recognition as a St. Mary’s Tribute Honoree.
When the Briarwood Organization prepared to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Vincent reflected on the importance of giving back. “It feels good to give something back,” he said at the time. “You get back ten times what you give. Just the satisfaction alone is most of it.”
Vincent lived a long and fulfilling life, enriched with love, laughter, and joy. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed, but his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those he touched.
A visitation was held Thursday, March 20, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home, 36-46 Bell Blvd. in Bayside. A funeral Mass followed Friday, March 21, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 215-35 38th Ave., also in Bayside.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Vincent’s memory: www.stmaryskids.org/vincent-riso
To plant a memorial tree in Vincent’s honor, please visit the Tree Store.
