Vittorio "Victor" Viti

When Vittorio "Victor" Viti walked into the room, those in his company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who Vittorio was and how he impacted those around him. Vittorio was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Vittorio wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries. Vittorio was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve him well throughout his life.

Vittorio was born on October 1, 1926 in Santa Anna Veroli (Provincia) of Frosinone. He was the son of Pietro and Paola Viti. Vittorio was raised in Frosinone, Italy and at a very young age emigrated to the United States of America in 1948. Always at the ready with a good joke, he grew up to be quite a humorous person. While some who knew Vittorio might describe him as an idealist, his friends and family understood well that Vittorio was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to him.

Vittorio was raised with 2 siblings; Giovanni and Antonio. Vittorio was very accepting and supportive of his family. He was perceived as the central person in his family in terms of keeping communication open between the family members. Whenever discord or tension arose within the home, Vittorio was typically the member who brought about resolution and harmony. These traits served Vittorio well in his adult life and, along with his wit, outgoing personality, and understanding of others, drew the admiration of many who knew him.

As a young boy, Vittorio was able to empathize and identify with a vast array of people and personality types. This quality drew him into a diverse group of friends and acquaintances. Vittorio was intelligent and had little trouble getting along with his peers. He was almost always the first to jump in when it came to playing games or participating in other childhood activities. Vittorio took part in Kickball and Marbles. Vittorio had the ability to find amusement with almost any activity he and the many childhood friends he shared might discover. Later in life his best friend was Pino Mastrangelo, also called "Pepe" by Vittorio. He made other good friends with Adriano Fortini, Joe D'Emilia, Antonio Mastrangelo, Joe Passaretti, Charlie Andrzejewski, and a list way too long to include everyone.

With a talent for making acquaintances easily which in turn brought him an endless stream of friends, Vittorio was very sociable and could blend without effort into any social group. Assertive and outgoing, Vittorio was easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. He always seemed aware of what was going on with people around him and throughout his life he made many, many friends. He had many friends in Italy.

Vittorio married the love of his life Agostina Masia in December 1950. Vittorio's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in his ability to make his new family happy. He was quite sensitive towards Agostina's needs, showing his constant concern and fondness. Vittorio was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served him well in helping to nurture his family.

Vittorio was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide his family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Vittorio, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of his life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became an adventure executed with love and patience in the Viti home. Vittorio's skill at understanding his children's feelings, his sensitivity to their needs, and his gift for gentle persuasion enabled him to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up. Vittorio was blessed with one daughter Paola Velia. He was also blessed with two grandsons, Vittorio and his wife Claudia and Francesco and his wife Amber. He has one great grandson Vittorio Nandin. Vittorio had hoped to live to see the arrival of Baby Boy Luchi in early November born to his grandson Francesco and his wife Amber.

Vittorio was uplifted by new ideas and was excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made him an exceptional worker. His primary occupation was Executive Chef. Vittorio was enterprising, inventive and working against deadlines seemed to energize him. Vittorio had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of his gift for insight. Vittorio's fellow workers saw him as a supporter and a mentor.

Vittorio was drafted into the Italian Army during WWII, as a Private First Class and served for a brief enlistment. Since the war ended in 1945, armistice was declared and he soon returned to civilian life with an honorable discharge.

Because Vittorio loved to have a broad variety of activities in his life, he took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. His favorite pursuits were playing cards, playing the lottery, making wine and always looking into making investments in Real Estate. Vittorio had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of his favorite pastimes. However, Vittorio's ever-present concern for others always took precedent.

Vittorio derived much satisfaction from participating in and watching sports. His charisma, supportive nature and ability to improvise when called upon to do so all made perfect attributes for enjoying a great many sporting activities. Recreational sports included fishing, clamming, hunting and crabbing. Vittorio was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football, soccer and wrestling. He loved watching the Italian "Azzuri" Soccer teams routing for his two home teams- Lazio and Roma.

Throughout his life, Vittorio was actively involved in professional and community organizations. He was compassionate, accommodating and quick to move into action. Always able to build a consensus, Vittorio seemed to be the person smack dab in the middle of things, working to get things done. Those who had the opportunity to work with Vittorio usually agreed that when you were involved in an organization with him, it was as entertaining as anything you could imagine. Throughout his later years, Vittorio was an active member of the Sons of Italy Arlington, Virginia Lodge. There he volunteered many a time to cook for his fellow members and guests.

Because Vittorio was constantly in the center of things and where the action was, he always seemed willing to join in and help, regularly getting involved in community activities. Vittorio's gift of planning and improvisation, along with a talent for rallying support, made him a great asset. Vittorio found new ways of getting things done in order to help make just about every activity more efficient and enjoyable. Vittorio was an active member of several community groups, serving on committees for the neighborhood watch in Fallston, Maryland and Rehoboth Delaware. Vittorio's favorite past-time and love was spending time at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware which he called his "Casa Bella" and "Villa Viti". Every opportunity he could get he would travel to Rehoboth to work around his house, plant his vegetable garden and ride his riding mower to cut the grass. He loved to showcase his labor of love! When he found some time to relax he would take his family to Lewes Beach to wade and enjoy the bay.

Vittorio was a man who was dedicated and devoted to his faith. He was a member of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church in Washington, DC since 1964. He was sympathetic and able to empathize with others and he used these qualities to the fullest while working tirelessly for his beliefs.

Though he never did anything solely for individual recognition, Vittorio's ingenuity, resourcefulness, and selflessness, earned him accolades for his many lifelong efforts. Some of his most prestigious awards included many culinary awards throughout his 40 plus years as a chef.

Vittorio's love of improvising in his daily life was a perfect fit for his enjoyment of traveling. His favorite vacations were ones that were not planned. Traveling in a casual manor fit his personality well. Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for the enjoyment life could offer, Vittorio took his vacations seriously, well, as seriously as he possibly could. Favorite vacations included traveling to Italy, specifically to the Island of Alghero, Sardegna. He also loved Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Vittorio was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. He loved his dogs Primo, Linda, Jo-Jo, PeeWee, Stella, Layla and Maddie Mae. He had dogs in his life for over 50 years. His family was rounded out by his many Canaries and Parakeets.

When Vittorio's retirement finally came in 1991, Vittorio handled it the way he usually did. He adapted and, like everything in his life, made it satisfying. Because he was such a flexible person and able to adjust to any situation, retirement was just another enjoyable change of pace for Vittorio to master. His new life involved relocating to Fallston, Maryland to be closer to his grandchildren Francesco and Amber Luchi. In retirement, he found new pleasure in sharing his culinary skills with neighbors. Even in retirement, Vittorio continued to stay in touch with his old friends and like always, made plenty of new ones.

Vittorio Viti passed away on October 4, 2014 at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium, Maryland. The cause of death was Prostate Cancer, CHF and Renal Failure. He is survived by his wife Tina; daughter Paola; grandchildren: Vittorio, Francesco, Claudia and Amber and one great grandchild Vittorio Nandin Luchi. Services were held at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church in Fallston, Maryland. Vittorio was laid to rest in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery Silver Spring, Maryland.

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Vittorio. He was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. He had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While he was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Vittorio Viti for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Vittorio was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with his loved ones. In conclusion, Vittorio "Victor" Viti is no longer in pain and is now in a better place. And it is very true, God only takes the best! May Vittorio now rest in peace.

In loving memory, your daughter,

Paola