Racetrack farrier Lionel A. “Butch” Vinas, of Saratoga Springs, Fla., passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016. He was 73.

Vinas studied civil engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., before becoming a blacksmith in 1965. Butch and Sydney moved from Queens, N.Y., to Babylon, N.Y., where they lived for 37 years. Over the years, he practiced his trade at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga Racetracks, as well as several others around the country. He developed a stellar reputation and earned the admiration and respect of his peers and many of the trainers in the horse racing industry for nearly 40 years.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2016, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016, at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave. and burial will follow in Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave.

If one would like to make a donation, the family would request it be made to a food pantry of your choice.

Condolences may be expressed at Legacy.com.

» Read Full Obituary