Joseph Stephen "Joe" Vitale

Joseph Stephen Vitale (71) of East Brunswick NJ, passed away on January 4, 2024 after a 2 year-long
struggle with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Joe was born November 22, 1952 to Joseph Stephen Vitale Sr (1924-2005) and Anna Lillian Balboa Vitale (1929-2020) in Elizabeth, NJ.
Joe leaves behind his wife, Debbie Krzewick-Vitale (63) and two children, Eric Joseph Vitale of NYC (50) and Summer Ann Vitale of Edison (28).
Joe had a wide variety of experiences throughout his life. He served as an Army "first response" Medic from 1969-70 during the Vietnam War, earning a National Defense Service Medal.
During the 1970's, Joe tended bar in Key West, Florida. He returned to NJ to attend Kean College, concentrating on landscape architecture. While in college, Joe became a Union County sheriff's officer. Somewhere in all that, he also found time for acting/modeling career before opening his own
landscaping company in the 1980's. Never a slouch, Joe also assisted his father's record business until the close of Rt. 1 Flea Market in the 1990's.
Joe went back to college in 2016, earning a CADC Alcohol & Drug Counseling Degree in 2018. He worked diligently helping struggling alcoholics until his illness overcame him in 2022.
Joe was an active 4th Degree knight in the Knights of Columbus Council #11873 and Assembly #3583. He proudly served as part of the 4th degree initiation team.
He was an avid fisherman, gardener and animal lover. Joe leaves behind his herd of 9 cherished cats.
No one could have had better friend and he will be greatly missed. But he has joined the Archangel St Michael now, where he will continue to protect us all the rest of our days!
Funeral will be held on January 11, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Location:
BG William C Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery
350 Province Line Rd
Wrightstown, NJ 08562-2206
Joe will be honored by a military honor guard, Catholic prayer service.
Please arrive by 11:15am for processional.
Please note: Do not send flowers to the cemetery site
Service Details.
Service
When
Thursday, January 11th, 2024 11:30am
Location
Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Address
350 Provenceline Road
Wrightstown/Arneytown, NJ 08562