Vito Anthony Carrieri

Vito Anthony Carrieri, also affectionately known as Tony, passed away on September 16, 2024, at the age of 89 in Mesa, Arizona. Born on February 11, 1935, Vito lived a life marked by passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to his family and community.

Vito began his career as an apprentice carpenter in Italy before moving to America at the age of 20. He came to this country with only one small trunk holding all of his belongings. He sailed to America with his mother on the SS Andrea Doria arriving in New York. He dreamed of a promising future and soon after met the love of his life, JoAnne. He quickly established himself in the carpentry field, working as a foreman for the Chicago Carpenters Union. In 1974, he relocated his family to Arizona, where he founded Carrieri Construction, a company responsible for building numerous custom homes in Mesa, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley. His entrepreneurial spirit led he and JoAnne to open Vito's Pizza Place and Italian Ristorante in 1986, which grew from his dream, into a beloved family-run restaurant that seated over 250 customers and employed on average 70 employees. Vito's Pizza has been an award-winning restaurant and a community treasure. The building that houses Vito's was built by Vito himself and his nephew David Rita and son Tony Carrieri.

Beyond his professional achievements, Vito was renowned for his larger-than-life personality. A captivating storyteller and a friend to all, he cherished his relationships with his customers and employees and enjoyed celebrating life's moments with them. Vito's hobbies included fishing in places like Costa Rica and Alaska, traveling, especially to Italy, gambling, watching westerns, and sharing his culinary skills with his family. He took great joy in teaching his children and grandchildren the art of building homes and cooking, and he loved tending to his garden, particularly his fig trees and roses, which he often picked for his wife, JoAnne. Vito and JoAnne enjoyed 62 years of marriage which produced a beautiful family and legacy.

Vito is survived by his loving wife JoAnne R. Carrieri; children and son and daughter's in-law: Anthony R. Carrieri and Angela Carrieri, Roseann Carrieri Bounds and Steven J Bounds, John Paul Carrieri and Nancy Kennedy-Carrieri; and grandchildren: Ashley Carrieri Viera, Nicholle Carrieri Dankert, Mathew Carrieri, Joseph Carrieri, Michael Bounds, Jeffrey Bounds, Alexander Carrieri, Piper Henderson, Vito Carrieri, and Gino Carrieri. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Hailey Chastain, Bradley Dankert, Isabella Carrieri, and Sebastian Carrieri. Vito was preceded in death by his mother, Antonietta, father, Pasquale and brother, Donato Carrieri.

Vito's legacy of love, wisdom, compassion, and laughter has left an indelible mark on everyone he met, ensuring that his memory will be cherished and remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

The Carrieri Family Invites you to celebrate the life of our loving father, Vito A Carrieri

Viewing-Friday 9/27/2024 5-8pm

Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery and Funeral Home

1562 E Baseline Road

Mesa, AZ 85204

Funeral-Saturday 9/28/2024 10:00 am Mass

St Bridget Catholic Church

2213 N. Lindsay Road

Mesa, AZ 85213

Burial-Directly following the Mass at

Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery

7900 E. Main Street

Mesa, AZ 85207