Joseph John Vitali

Joseph J. Vitali’s vibrant and loved filled life of 87 years was complete and ended peacefully on Saturday morning, April 22nd at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, New London. He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara, his wife of 58 years, and also the immense focus of his daily thoughts, love, and attention - his three children, Kara Vitali of Colorado Springs, CO, David Vitali of Old Lyme, CT, and Brenda Frasco and son-in-law, Jim Frasco of Burlington, CT, and his five grandchildren: Sam, Nate, Marlena, Serena and Julia. Joe is also survived by his sister Adrienne Stewart of Tulsa, OK, and sister-in-law, Patricia Vitali, and many nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his brother Lawrence Vitali, and brother-in-law, Donald Stewart.

Joe, the son of Carlo and Gilda Vitali, was born on March 4, 1930 and was raised in Wallingford, CT. He lived in Old Lyme, CT for the 58 years of his marriage with Barbara. Joe is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. He began his career as an advertising representative at the New London Day, and then became a real estate broker and President & Owner of Allied Brokers, a real estate company. For over two decades, Joe was a Senior Instructor for the National Association of Real Estate Brokers and the GRI Program of the Connecticut Association of Realtors. In 1986, Joe received the National Outstanding Real Estate Educator Award for Medium States.

Joe always considered his family – children, grandchildren, and 58 year marriage to Barbara, to be his ultimate lifetime achievement.

49 years ago Joe Vitali built a small ski house in the hills of Vermont near Mount Snow ski resort that quickly became the focal point for his family and friends on weekends, vacations, and holidays for skiing and time together. This small blue house is a symbol of Joe and Barbara’s unwavering love of family, friends and zest for life. It is still the center of family gatherings, wonderful and everlasting memories, and forever Joe’s legacy.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Lane, Old Lyme, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 11 AM in Christ the King Church, Old Lyme, CT. Burial will follow at Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes, directions, and more service information.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to Christ the King Church Building Fund, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371.