John Harold Vitale, of Pittston, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2023, with his family by his side.
Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Anthony J. and Minnie Casparro Vitale and a graduate of Scranton technical High School. He proudly served in the United States Navy as a radio operator from July 1953 to July 1961. He worked at Home Made Baking Company as a Baker. He worked at Topps Chewing Gum as a supervisor for 31 years, making gum and never missed a day of work; that is where he met the love of his life, his wife, Mary Kay.
John was a true gentleman in his time willing to help anyone in need. An avid Penn State fan, he enjoyed attending the games with his brothers, Bob and Mike. Gardening was his favorite past time and he shared his vegetables with his family and friends.
Most of all, he enjoyed his three precious granddaughters, Aubre, Galen and Olivia. He would always accompany them to their sporting events and dance recitals. At one point, he was given a technical foul at one of his granddaughter’s basketball games.
His most precious gift in life was the love of his life, his wife, Mary Kay who passed away April 27, 2020.
He was able to witness the birth of his first great-grandson, Nicholas John Snyder who called him “PaPa2” and the birth of his great-granddaughter, Audrey Catherine Snyder, for whom he adored and loved.
Surviving are his daughter, Vanessa and her husband Gale Mayorowski, Old Forge, granddaughter, Aubre and her husband, Keith Snyder, Mountaintop, Galen and her husband, Carl Mariani, Pittston Township and Olivia and her husband Christopher Williams, State College; Nicholas John Snyder, great-grandson, Audrey Catherine Snyder, great-granddaughter, Mountaintop; sisters, Dorothy Reese (Theodore), Old Forge and Rose Clark, Clarks Green; sister-in-law, Claire Hafferty, Pittston; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kay Hafferty Pannunzio Vitale; brothers, Anthony, Robert, David and Michael; brothers-in-law, Robert Clark and John J. Hafferty.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael J. Rogan and Monsignor John Sempa for the excellent medical care and spiritual guidance.
According to John’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 10am in Corpus Christi Parish, Church of the Holy Redeemer, Harding with interment, with Military Honors, St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Pittston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-9959. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, Pittston.