Submitted by: Dan Rich

Santo Joseph Vitale

Oct. 24, 1922 - Aug. 14, 2003

South Bend Tribune 8/17/2003

Santo Joseph "Joe" Vitale, 80, residing on East Eckman Street, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 4 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, in the Holy Cross Care & Rehabilitation Center, South Bend.

He was born Oct. 24, 1922, in Gerace, Reggio diCalabria, Italy, as the son of Carmelo "Pete" and Carmela (Barbaro) Vitale, and had resided in South Bend since 1935, coming from Italy on Jan. 19, 1935.

He was a graduate of Riley High School, graduated from the University of Notre Dame, and served in the United States Army during World War II in Italy, North Africa and Europe. Mr. Vitale retired as Portage Township Assessor after 35 years of service.

On Sept. 10, 1945, in South Bend, he married Elsie Ellen Bougher. She preceded him in death on June 29, 1988. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Rita Rose Jankowski; and by a brother, Ernesto Rocco Vitale. Mr. Vitale is survived by his three sons, Paul Joseph Vitale of South Bend, Philip A. (Sandra) Vitale of Birch Lake, Mich., and Christopher P. Vitale of Indianapolis, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Erica Vitale, Matthew Vitale, Sanya Applegate, Patrick Vitale, Jessica Vitale-Haney, Angela VanDerheyden and Anthony Vitale; four great-grandchildren, Ellsie, Anthony, Morgann and Nolan. Santo is also survived by a sister, Laura Carpenter (late Darryl) of Elkhart, Ind.; a brother, Alberto S. (Nancy) Vitale of South Bend, and his family, Peter Vitale, Rebecca (Darren) Macht and Lara Vitale; and by a brother-in-law, Stefan (late Rita) Jankowski, and their family, John (Mary Ann) Jankowski and Teresa (Alan) Delinski.

Mr. Vitale was a member of the Cathedral of St. Matthew, Leighton Center, American Legion Post 50, Lakeville Conservation Club, Calvert Rod & Gun Club, D.A.V. Chapter #6 and the V.F.W. He was also a member of the Democratic Party, and a lifetime politician and very proud of it!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, in the Cathedral of St. Matthew. Burial will be at Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Monday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Santo J. "Joe" Vitale may be made to the American Cancer Society, 535 W. Edison Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545.