Joseph F. Vitale

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph F. Vitale, age 86, of Wayne, NJ.

Joseph passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.  Joe was born and raised in the Riverside section of Paterson. NJ, one of two children to Joseph and Lena Vitale.  As a child growing up in Paterson, Joe was an avid baseball player where he played on All Wag baseball teams.  As a student at Eastside High School in Paterson, Joe continued his love of the game, playing for the school’s varsity baseball team.  Joe graduated from Eastside High School with the class of 1956.

Joe had always dreamed of serving his country.   The moment he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines.  Joe was promoted to the rank of Corporal while serving with the marines.  He was stationed in Beirut and Turkey during US peace missions.  Joe served proudly and honorably with the US Marines from 1956 to 1959.

After being honorably discharged from the military, Joe enrolled at Fairleigh Dickenson University where he played baseball and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in May 1963.  While in school he had interned at an accounting firm and decided it was not for him.  Joe realized he wanted to teach and was offered a provisional teaching position with the Hawthorne Board of Education.  He taught business subjects at Hawthorne High School beginning in September 1963.   Joe returned to school at night and Saturdays taking teaching classes at Seton Hall University, where Joe earned his Master’s Degree. He then accepted a permanent position as a teacher at Hawthorne High School, teaching accounting and economics.  Joe also served as Freshman and Junior Varsity football coach at Hawthorne High School.

Throughout his career Joe not only taught but eventually served as Principal of several elementary schools within Hawthorne and Lincoln Middle School.  Joe’s career in education spanned nearly forty years until his retirement in 1998.  Throughout his career Joe was truly and sincerely loved by his colleagues, peers, and students alike.  Although he enjoyed being a Principal, he always missed being in the classroom.

As a young man, Joe was attended a friend’s wedding where he met Elinore Sesso.  Joe and Elinore later became husband and wife.  During their marriage they lived in Paterson, Fair Lawn, and eventually the town of Wayne where they raised their two sons, Stephen and Thomas.

Joe was an avid golfer.  He treasured his golf vacations and golf outings with his friends as well as his trips to college football games.  Joe was a die-hard New York sports fan, dedicating his Sundays in the fall to cheering on, and often complaining about the Giants.  He spent his summers glued to every Yankees game.  Joe was also known as a talented individual in the kitchen.  He was a wonderful cook and famous with family and friends for his various Italian dishes and recipes. Christmas Eve dinner was hosted at the Vitale household for 51 years.

Aside from Joe’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion in life was his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Joe than providing for and spending time with his sons, and granddaughters.   Joe could be a “tough guy”, but it was very apparent he had a soft side for his granddaughters who adored him.  He was a true guy’s guy and easy to get along with.  Many of his friends and family would often come to Joe for his advice and knowledge.

Joe will forever be remembered as a truly devoted father, grandfather, and a dedicated teacher and member of his community.  Joe touched the lives of countless people throughout his life, and he will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Joe is survived by his two sons, Stephen Vitale and his wife Lily of Newbury Park, CA, and Thomas Vitale and his wife Florence of Wyckoff, NJ, four grandchildren: Samantha Vitale of Newbury Park, CA, Adelina Vitale of Newbury Park, CA, Gianna Vitale of Wyckoff, NJ, and Ava Maria Vitale of Wyckoff, NJ, former wife Elinore, along with many loving nieces and nephews.  Joe was predeceased by his sister Rosemarie Greco and his brother-in-law Frank Greco.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s name may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital , Wounded Warrior Project, or the American Heart Association