Joseph Anthony Vitali

Joseph was born on the 4h of July, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA to Italian immigrants, Bernardo and Assunta Vitali, who preceded him in death along with his brother, Serafino Vitali and sister, Eleanor Vitali Grecco.

He joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia when he met and married the love of his life, Dorothy Whittington Vitali and the two were married for 58 years until her passing in 2008.

After his retirement from the Army, he worked as a Credit Manager for the State Newspaper and retired in 1990 at the age of 62. He was a true gentleman, an extraordinary athlete, a devoted husband and father who was loved, cherished and respected by his friends and family. He was happiest when surrounded by his large family. He was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are his siblings, Daniel (Dino) Vitali and Mary Vitali DeAngelis; his children, Joseph A Vitali Jr. (Marsha) of Columbia, Keith E. Vitali (Kathy) of Atlanta, Col. Steven B. Vitali, USMC (Ret.) (Rhonda) of Columbia, Theresa V. McManus (Richard) of Irmo, Richard J. Vitali of Columbia, Gloria V. Callaway of Columbia, Marie V. Crossland (David) of Columbia and Juanita Vitali-Cox (Kirk) of Columbia; nineteen grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Northeast Presbyterian Church, with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the church atrium prior to the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia SC 29223 and the Alzheimer’s Association Research 100%, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, in memory of Dorothy Vitali.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.