In Memory
Paul Joseph Vitale
March 21, 1950 ~ August 5, 2025 75 Years Old
Paul J. Vitale, born on March 21, 1950 (lesser known as the day the wheel was invented) passed away at the age of 75 on August 5, 2025 surrounded by the love of his children.
Paul was born in South Bend, Indiana, the eldest of three boys that includes Phillip (Sandy) Vitale & Christopher (Janet) Vitale (shout out to Grandma & Grandpa for navigating those heathens!) to Santo & Elsie Vitale. He graduated from Riley High School & went onto commercial printing at Peterson Graphics where he met many friends who helped provide him with plenty of material to tell his children, grandchildren, children’s friends, strangers at the checkout and anyone in between - countless times. Paul was such a great storyteller that no one would stop him to remind him they’d heard it before, even if it was the 10th time they'd heard it.
Dad got married a couple of times & had some pretty awesome children from the results of those marriages to which he would tell anyone near him how incredibly proud he was of them. If you haven't heard it from his own mouth we won't force you to hear how amazing Matt (Trasie) the teacher, Jessica (Mark) the therapist & Mama, Patrick the business man, Angela (Brian) the Mom who takes care of everyone, Tony the electrician, Arianna (Terrill) the Mama of Joseph (he's got Dad's middle name - he would want you all to know that!) & Sarah (Robert) all are but his biggest brag about his children is how his sons “are better father’s than I ever could have been” & his daughters are “just like Mom & Aunt Rita” ....no matter how many times Angela would tell him that some of them aren't even really that cool - he never agreed with her.
Paul's children further enhanced his life when they had children of their own. Ellsie(Justin, Norah & Van), Grace, Maximilian, Sophia, Samson, Wyatt, Lyla, Everleigh, Gage, Anthony (Danielle, Carter & Vinny), Nolan, Nash, Ava, Vivianna, Jayla, Shilin, TJ, Madison, Alena, Dalylah, Izzy, and Joseph as well as his Italian granddaughter, Nicole Gardumi. Each one of these kids made Paul's life infinitely better with just their existence. Even they didn't stand a chance in escaping his clever one-liners (horse turds as big as what?! Do chickens even have lips? Don't you wish you had a thousand noses?? Honestly - we aren't even sure if a bear really does shi-nevermind), his coaching stories for his kids in baseball at South Side Little League or the various teams for his youngest son & the infamous one of his Grandson (yes, he really did coach Nolan's pop warner football team to the championship you guys!), life advice (Granddaughters remember - boys are stupid! Grandsons - don't forget the rule for your future new brides!) but most importantly - him.
Dad was a tattooed, avid gun enthusiast who couldn't stay off of a Harley Davidson even with stage 4 cancer. He was an extremely proud son of an immigrant from Italy that fought in World War II & graduated from Notre Dame. Dad never missed a chance to be in the state of Michigan, especially the upper peninsula & wore everything he was proud of on his arms. We can't say on his sleeve because he cut those off every single shirt he owned. The big guns could not be hidden!
Paul never knew a stranger - especially if you reminded him even a tiny bit - of someone he loves OR if you could "shovel shit like the rest of us" - Instant adoption! Surprise! You're now a new sibling! Dad had a big heart that sometimes ended up in big trouble or being taken advantage of, but that man’s heart also taught his children lessons none of us would ever take back.
For all the things Paul loved – he was always certain that a home wasn’t four walls with a roof – it was family. He will & has already been, missed beyond belief. There’s nothing else he would absolutely want his life summed up as other than to tell us to make sure we put someone in charge, someone to blame, make sure we write our names in gasoline & set that shit on fire BUT more importantly – remember this: “I am proud of you and I love you, unconditionally”. We love you too Daddy, forever - Ten feet tall, bulletproof, stone.
A Time of Sharing Memories for Paul will be held Monday, August 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Online condolences can be offered at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
8/12/2025 djb
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