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John Vitka Obituary
It is with great sadness we announce John S. Vitka Jr. passed away peacefully on October 5, 2023 with his beloved family by his side. John was a lifelong Connecticut resident. He was born in Bridgeport on April 27, 1938 to Margaret and John S. Vitka, Sr. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Marie LaBrecque Vitka, sons Mark (Kara) Vitka, David (Andrew) Vitka, daughter Dr. Annemarie (Stuart) Abramson, Goddaughter/niece Adrienne (Richard) Figmic, Kathleen Crissey, sister-in-law Debra Gorman Vitka, 9 granddaughters: Stephanie (Nicholas) Lemire, Megan, Kimberly, Abigail, Lindsey, Grace, Emma, Bridget, Taryn and 2 grandsons- Jon and Aidan, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews and "Club friends." John was predeceased by his parents, brothers Thomas and Robert Vitka, parents-in-law Emile and Katherine LaBrecque, sisters and brothers-in-law Francis and Shirley LaBrecque and Donald & Kathleen (LaBrecque) Sorensen. He was predeceased most recently by his beloved niece Donna Sorensen.
John graduated from Fairfield Prep, Class of 1955, attended Norwalk State Technical College and Fairfield University and was a U.S. Army Veteran. His professional careers were in the fields of Home Building Construction, Real Estate Sales and Pre-Purchase Home Inspections. He started his Inspection Service by becoming a Veteran's Administration Compliance Inspector. He also built specially adapted homes for Disabled Veterans.
John was active in many community activities, including coaching basketball, Little League, Shelton Exchange Club, St. Lawrence Men's Club. He was a member of the Connecticut Home Builders Association, the Bridgeport and Valley Association of Realtors, the Connecticut Association of Home Inspectors, St. Vincent's Medical Center Patient and Family Advisory Council, Ansonia Rod and Gun Club and Sleeping Giant Men's Club. John was also a parishioner of St. Lawrence Church in Shelton for 59 years.
John enjoyed participating in all types of sports and aerobic activities including running, biking, golfing, trap and skeet shooting, archery and attending grandchildren's sporting events where he was often seen leading cheers of support. John was a larger than life friend to all! He cherished God, his beloved wife Marie (who he met and fell in love with at age 17), and all things family, especially being Papa to his 11 grandchildren.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Avenue, Shelton, CT, 06484. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, (BridgeportRescueMission.org), or a note with your favorite memories of John.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Vitka
Sponsored by Pistey Funeral Home.
Jerry Hall
February 12, 2024
This is long overdue. John was one of a few men besides my own dad that taught me so much as I became a homeowner and willingly gave off his time and expertise throughout his life I grew up with Johns sons Mark and David and still maintain a regular relationship with Mark and when I watch him work in my home I see John so much . So genuine ,meticulous and just a wonderful person . I think sometimes I plan electrical work just so I can go down memory lane with Mark. I´m sorry I wasn´t aware of John´s passing. I´m a better person for knowing John bring a lunch Vitka who helped thousands of homeowners not only because it was his job but the right thing to do. I will miss him and seeing him on his regular walks with Marie as he lived so close to me . John took pride in his fitness and was meticulous there just like the rest of his life . My condolences to Marie, David, Mark and the rest of the family on the loss of a great man
Joan Rahrig Watkins
November 3, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss and I don´t know if I have the right David Vitka but I am Joan Rahrig Watkins and I had a student by your name in second grade before I was married. I remember both students David Vitka and best friend Andy Brennan. You were both two of my favorite students if you are the right, David. If not, please ignore this, but I am very sorry for the loss of your father. He must have been a remarkable man and I just finished reading, in today´s paper, a tribute by Terry Jones. My condolences are to you and your whole family!
Lorraine Benedetto
October 18, 2023
Dear Marie and family,
I was so sorry to hear of John´s passing. May God comfort your hearts at this very sad time.
Lorraine Benedetto
Tom Giordano
October 11, 2023
I met John while serving on the PFAC (Patient & Family Advisory Council) at Saint Vincent´s Medical Center. For the many years we served together, we seemed to always sit together. I always admired his wit, charm and dedication to all the patients there at Saint V´s. He will be sorely missed by me and all those at Saint V´s.
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Gary and Merry Constantino
October 10, 2023
To the Vitka family, Merry and my thoughts and prayers are with you doing this time.
Pat Pelosi
October 10, 2023
Stephanie, so sorry for your loss, God Bless you and your family.
Douglas Sutherland
October 9, 2023
John inspected my first house in Shelton in 1983. He saved me from purchasing another house with a faulty septic system. In 1987, he inspected the house my wife and I purchased in Trumbull and still own today.
I remember John as a really nice guy who took his work seriously because he really wanted to help people. He didn't just inspect a house and write a report, he also educated homebuyers about how to maintain a house. He told me that one day, he wanted to write a book about 52 things to do each year to maintain a home - because there are 52 weekends each year and there is always something to do when you own a home. I wonder if he ever got around to writing that book!
I'm lucky to have known John and his advice was priceless. May he rest in peace and may his family be comforted by the long, wonderful, and purposeful life he led.
Marianne and Chuck Davenport
October 9, 2023
Dear Mark and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your Dad´s passing. May he Rest In Peace and may you and your family forever remember all the beautiful memories with him over the years.
Love, Marianne and Chuck Davenport
Mike Bekech
October 9, 2023
Mark and family,
My sincerest condolences on your loss. May God grant him blessed repose and eternal memory.
Barbara Alexander
October 9, 2023
Dear Marie & family,
So sorry to hear of John`s passing.
He was a very good man.
Barbara Alexander.
Lauri McCoy
October 9, 2023
"David and family, --Words seem inadequate to express the sorrow felt by the loss of your dad. My heart is with you. Lauri McCoy"
Dan Conte
October 9, 2023
To John's family,
So sorry to hear of his passing. I was just thinking about him. He was a gentleman and learned a lot from him.
Dan Conte
Carolina Shores NC
Annemarie Andrzejewski
October 9, 2023
David, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
John and Cheryl Morgan
October 8, 2023
Mark, we´re so very sorry for your loss. Your Dad inspected one of our homes, and he was such a pleasure to do business with. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers.
God Bless. John and Cheryl Morgan
Pat Ochman and Marion Hulton
October 8, 2023
To Mark and family, we are so sorry for the loss of your father. He certainly left an unforgettable legacy of joy, goodness and selflessness. Thinking of you.
Mike petro
October 8, 2023
As a fellow prepster i am saddened to hear about John.
May he rest in eternal peace
Mike petro
Mike petro
Pete Petrino
October 8, 2023
So Sorry for your loss, I enjoyed my association with John through home inspections, and a friendship, he was always positive and inspiring and a great person.
Formerly from Derby, now Florida, and founding member of CAHI
Gary Komar
October 8, 2023
Mark and family,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your dad. Amy and I enjoyed working with him on the PFAB committee. May God keep you in HIS graces.
Gary and Cindy Komar
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