Saverio Joseph Vitello

Saverio Joseph Vitello of Estero, FL, died peacefully at home with his loved ones at his side. He was the devoted husband of nearly 40 years to Barbara Vitello (George), who predeceased him in 2019. He was a loving father to Janie (Vitello) Marois and her husband Matt; Jeffrey Elwood; Debbie (Elwood) Donoghue and her husband Jack; David Vitello; Paul Vitello; and Christopher Vitello. He was predeceased by his son Daniel.  Jack Donoghue, his wife Brittany and daughter Keira; Marjie Donoghue; and Daniel Marois were lucky enough to have him in their lives as their fun-loving, silly Pup/Grampy. “Savvy” was the older brother to Josephine DeLeo and the uncle and great uncle to several nieces and nephews. Joe was a dear friend to so many people whose lives he touched along his path, including the special bond he had with a recent addition to his life, Joan Meginniss.

Joe had a fabulous sense of humor and was the life of the party in any crowd. He was a master storyteller, complete with impressions and wild arm gestures. Apart from thoroughly enjoying the company of family and friends, the highlight of social gatherings for him was food. While living in Boot Pond in Plymouth during their pre-retirement years, one of  Joe and Barb’s cherished memories was canoeing with friends on the pond or on the North River. Joe loved nature and had a special affinity for all things Native American, including some very loud tribal cries! Joe was lucky enough to have so many healthy, happy retirement years with Barb. They loved to entertain friends, play golf, bocce, wii bowling and travel together. Dude Ranches, Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Italy, the Galapagos, Hawaii and New Zealand were some of their favorite trips. Joe and Barb loved to cruise. Their  kids and grandkids will be forever grateful for the six cruises they took together over the years. They also shared cruising adventures with friends. For many  years, Joe and Barb enjoyed camping in their travel trailer. They drove across the country five times, visited the Keys often and spent weeks during the summers at Lake Forest, Maine and Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. 

Joseph was a 1946 graduate of Bristol High School in Rhode Island and of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in 1950. He worked briefly as a pharmacist but quickly discovered his true calling as a pharmaceutical salesman with Lederle Labs. The wheelings, dealings and stories that he told of his nearly 40 years on the road are memories that his oldest friends will remember fondly.

Joe’s sense of direction was not good. It was amazing to everyone who knew him that he was able to find his way back home at the end of a work day. But he did find his way home, and we are all comforted by the thought that he has found his way back home to Barb.