Joseph "Giuseppe" Vitagliano

Rutland – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Vitagliano on
Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, after a brief
illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was 97, but…. He would tell you he
was 98! Some Italians say they are the age they are about to turn. Joe believed that age
was a matter of completing a year rather than finishing it. So, on his birthday he would
say he completed 97 was beginning 98!

Joseph was born on December 20, 1927, in the tiny town of San Martino valle Caudina,
in the province of Avellino, Campania, Italy. He was first born to Alfred and Martina
(Formato) Vitagliano. At the age of 13, he lost his father to pneumonia. He helped his
mother care for his three younger sisters: Gilda, Nancy, and Yolanda. A few years later,
when Germany occupied Italy during WWII, Joe's mother would hide him in the trees
during the day; Young Italian men were often taken and forced into the German army.

After completing primary and secondary school in Italy, Joe entered a branch of the
Italian Armed Forces. He became a Carabinieri -the Arma dei Carabinieri, Italy's
national military corps with both civil and military police duties. Joe was immensely
proud of his profession and often told stories of when, as a young carabinieri, he was
assigned the special duty of guarding Pope Pius XII, at the Papal summer residence in
Castel Gandolfo, a village southeast of Rome.

In 1953, he met Lucille Napolitano. Lucy was in Italy with family, visiting relatives. Joe
spoke no English, but Lucy knew enough Italian for them to communicate and
eventually they married on June 26, 1955, in Rotondo, Italy. Joe arrived in New York
City, Thanksgiving Day, 1955, to enjoy turkey for the first time with his new wife and her
family.

Joe and Lucy made their life in Rutland and were married 62 years before her passing
in 2017. They raised 4 children, whom Joe was vastly proud of. Joe worked for
Tambrands (formerly Tampax) for 40 years; several years as a machine mechanic, and
later in Shipping and Receiving. He often worked 2 or 3 jobs to provide for his family. He
was fiercely proud of his Italian roots and made many visits back to Italy to visit friends
and family. But he was also proud to be an American. He studied, learned the English
language, and became an American citizen.

He was a cherished parent, grandparent, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be
remembered for his strong will and character, fierce loyalty, and unwavering love for his
family. He could be outspoken, and everyone would agree he could be very stubborn.

He enjoyed food, cooking, gardening, and making wine. Family gatherings were
important to him. Nothing could beat a good homecooked meal of pasta, meat, salad,
bread, and of course, homemade wine. Joe made wine for most of his life. There was a
small wine cellar in the basement at their home on River St. In the fall, cases of grapes
would be delivered from Albany, NY to several Italian families in Rutland. Thirty to thirty-
fives cases ended up at the Vitagliano house. As soon as Joe was home from work, the
process of grinding the grapes (by hand), and getting them into the wine press began,
and would last until whatever time the job was done. Joe's older sons, Alfred and
Anthony, were on hand to help, along with his mother, Martina. Not one drop of grape
juice would go to waste! Joe could be found in the kitchen from time to time making
bread, pizza, and Zeppoli (fried sweet bead dough for his revered Saint Joseph's Day
on March 19!!)

Joe loved people. He loved parties and socializing. He enjoyed music and was always
up dancing. He was a member of the Italian American Club in Rutland for close to 70
years. At 97 he was the oldest member of the club, and up until 3 months ago, was still
playing some bocce as a member of the Old Timers Team. He was highlighted, at the
age of ninety, on WCAX's Super Seniors for his passion for the game of bocce. For
many years he played cards at the club once or twice a week with his friends Dave
Cioffi and Jack Kulig.

Joseph was steadfast in his faith as a Roman Catholic and rarely missed Sunday
Mass. He was very devoted to the Italian Saint, Padre Pio-San Pio de Pietrelcina. Joe
was certainly the epitome of a life well lived.

He was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Martina, an infant daughter, Rose
(1961), his wife, Lucille (2017), his sisters: Nancy Benincasa (2010) and Gilda Perone
(2021).

He is survived by three sons: Alfred (Gina) Vitagliano of Pittsford, VT, Anthony
(Maureen) Vitagliano of Hubbardton, VT and Longwood, FL, Paul (Michele Reveal)
Vitagliano of West Rutland, VT, and a daughter, Lisa Vitagliano (Shawn Good)of
Pittsford, VT. Seven grandchildren: William (Gary Sopko)Vitagliano of San Francisco,
CA, Joseph ( Dianne) Vitagliano, of Essex Junction, VT, Marc (Jennifer) Vitagliano of
South Portland, ME, Marina Vitagliano of Mendon, VT, Olivia Vitagliano of Nashville, TN,
Michael Vitagliano of Providence, RI, and Aiden Good of Pittsford, VT. One great-
granddaughter, Natalie James Vitagliano of South Portland, ME. Also, a sister, Yolanda
DiBlasi of Waltham, MA and several special nieces, nephews, and cousins here in the
United States and Italy.

There are no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11am, St.
Peter's Church, Convent Ave, Rutland. Burial immediately follows in Calvary Cemetery,
Rutland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any remembrances in Joe's honor be
made to the Scholarship Fund, Italian American Club, 73 Grove Street, Rutland, VT.
05701