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Obituary
John (Giovanni) Peter Vitale of Canton, MI, passed away on September 24, 2025 at the age of 96.
He was born in Detroit, MI on June 23, 1929 to Josephine Lovasco and Phillip Vitale.
He graduated from South Eastern High School in 1948 and attended Wayne State University and the University of Detroit majoring in Business Administration. Prior to completing his degree, he was drafted into the US Army in March 1951. He served in Fort Hood Texas, Fort Sill Oklahoma, and Fort Lautin, Washington before going to Korea as a Sergeant First Class. He returned to the US in December 1953.
After his Honorable Discharge in 1953, he returned to work at Maisel’s Hardware where he worked since the age 13. In 1959, he joined Norwest Plumbing & Heating and was a top sales representative until his retirement in 1994.
John loved to travel and had fond memories of his time in Florida, Europe, Israel, and Mexico. He enjoyed puttering in his workshop, building model boats, and spending time with his beloved dog, Muffin. He was an avid Detroit Tiger and University of Michigan football fan.
He was preceded in death by his wife Gina (15 years) and Mary Alice (43 years), his sisters Grace Cote, Lena Lovasco, Fran Ruggerillo, and his parents.
He is survived by his children Deborah Vitale, Phil Vitale and Marvin Raupp, and his sisters Jenny Mooney and Cathy James.
The family would like to thank his long-term caregivers Maureen Walsh and Jerri Ann Steele, the Bickford Senior Living team, and the Optimal Care and Hospice team for their care and compassion.
A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton MI on Friday, October 3rd at 10:30am. Family will receive friends at 10am prior to the church service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (click to the left) or Capuchin Soup Kitchen in his name.
