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Anthony Vitto Obituary
Dr. Anthony "Tony" Vitto passed away on July 23, 2021 at his home in Brigantine, New Jersey.
Tony was a man of science, with a thirst for knowledge and an incisive wit.
Tony was born on July 13, 1948 in Washington DC where he grew up among his extended Italian American family. Following graduation from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, MD, Tony attended St. John's College where he studied the great books and began a love affair with science and critical thought that would inform the rest of his life.
Tony went on to obtain a PhD in biochemistry at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN. He did his postdoctoral work at UCSD where he carried out research in neurochemistry and neuropharmacology. Following his time in San Diego, Tony taught at Harvard as an instructor of Neuropathology with a focus on the biology of aging and Alzheimer's disease.
While in Boston, Tony decided to pursue medicine. He graduated from Temple University School of Medicine in 1989 where he won both the Matthew T. Moore Prize and the Alpers Society Award for outstanding performance in neurology. Tony chose to complete his neurology residency at Stanford University in order to live close to his children, Tom and Claire.
Tony went on to become Chief of Neurology at the San Jose Medical Group and ultimately developed dual practices in Gilroy and Monterey before moving to the Berkshires, MA and eventually Brigantine, NJ. Tony continued to practice medicine as a teleneurologist up to the end of his life.
In recent years, he enjoyed spending summers at Tanglewood, the Clark Institute and the Norman Rockwell Museum in the Berkshires. Tony was in the process of building a house in Brigantine, NJ where he looked forward to spending his golden years with good wine and an ocean view.
Tony will be remembered for his charm, infectious laugh and generous nature. He was passionate about sports, the arts, food and wine and was happiest when sharing these passions with others.
Tony is survived by his daughter Claire Vitto, brother Nick Vitto, aunt Mary (Vitto) Anastasi and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Anthony and Celeste Vitto, his sisters Catherine (Vitto) Lindemer and Ann (Vitto) Beruff, and his beloved son Tom Vitto.
Details of the memorial will be shared via social media. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association or The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Vitto
Paul Singer
September 7, 2025
Eating some Andy´s Orchard fruit and thought of you Tony. I miss you buddy.
Sheila
September 7, 2024
I still think about you and all the fun we had at Dancing with Dolphins. You kept us all in stitches and I hope you continue to spread your good humor, wherever you are. You're missed by many here.
tom meleney
October 16, 2022
tony you are gone way too soon! though we attended high school together in the mid sixties, I really did not get to truly know you until our 50th high school reunion in 2016. we shared dinner at a classmates house on friday nigh with 10-12 classmates/spouses then late nights in the hospitality suite and tomtop that off with iAn invite that next spring to stop in at The Berkshires for a few days of gold and tour of the Rockwell museum. But the best of all was that bottle of wine we shared while eating
that huge tomahawk steak you cooked on the grill. our friendship was just starting. so sad! i was truly fascinated to talk
to you about yout teleneuropayhy, sports, politics or whatever. RIP my good friend. tom meleney wjhs66
Maxine Perkins
October 18, 2021
I am just learning of Tony's passing. He was a wonderful person and friend. His medical contribution will be remembered. My condolences to family
Maxine
Deborah Dixon
October 8, 2021
My Heart was so sadden when I heard about the passing of Dr. Vitto, but he LIVED doing what he loved so much. It was my pleasure to have met him a few years ago. He inspired, nurtured and made us smile, laugh. I looked forward to seeing him whenever he came to Reston, VA. He will definitely be missed...esp. in my heart!
John Eppig
September 21, 2021
Very sad news to hear about Tony. We were good friends at Oak Ridge, but gone our separate ways. I'll always remember him though. A wonderful person. John
Bob Vitto
September 20, 2021
I am saddened with the loss of my dear cousin Tony. He was a wonderful person with an enjoyable outgoing personality. We enjoyed the interesting multi-course dinner he provided at the last Vitto family reunion hosted by Nick & Dale Vitto and his family. I am especially saddened for Claire, his intelligent and lovely daughter, for losing her cherished father while he was still young with so much left to offer.
Amber
September 16, 2021
Thank you for the chance to learn more about Tony. Such a hard worker and such a jokester. I'm glad to have known him. It was lovely to watch him be so supportive of his kids.
Steven Vitto
September 15, 2021
Such a loss. Tony and I both attended St. John's College and the Great Books program almost 20 years apart. But I didn't know when I started. Few go this unique college let alone 2 people from the same family. It gave us a great bond and great discussions. Tony was very interested in my visit to the city in Italy where our fathers were born (they were brothers), Gioia Del Colle, Italy. We often talked about this and him getting Italian citizenship for himself and for Claire. An amazing man, thinker, scientist, humorist. A great loss.
Paul Singer
September 14, 2021
I'll never forget how tickled he was when he was written up in the National Enquirer for his miraculous cure (and it truly was) of a woman who came to Tony in a wheelchair for her first visit and was walking on her own by her second visit (and it was NOT psychological). I'll miss his wit, warmth, and wisdom. Your dad was quite a guy, Claire, and I count myself lucky to have known him.
Terri Singer
September 14, 2021
Hello Claire, Nick and Mary.
I had the pleasure of knowing Tony when he worked at SJMG with my husband, Paul. Tony made going to work together a joy for Paul. Tony had a great wit, charming way about him. Paul always had something funny to tell about his day and interactions with Tony. Work wasn´t exactly perceived as work because it was a joy to be around Tony.
Tony was a modest guy about his qualifications and education.
I could always tell how proud he was of his family talking about his children.
I note he was quite supportive when I had to leave my first son a daycare and go back to work.
My condolences to you all. He will be missed greatly.
James Adair class of 66 at WJ
September 14, 2021
Tony was a remarkable guy. We were on the wrestling team together at WJ . He had a big heart and was smart as could be. Very funny too.
I really had a nice visit with him at the 50th class reunion.
He will be missed.
Jack D Menendez
September 14, 2021
Tony had this clever dry wit that made me laugh. The thing that provided the most insight about him was he gave me a book when my dad began his long one-way path with dementia. The book was "The Forgetting: Portrait of an Epidemic." At first, I was afraid to read it, but it turned out perfect for me to read. That book also said a lot to me about Tony and what a gentle way it was to inform me of the reality that the family faced.
Sheila Dean and Staff of Marine Mammal Stranding Center
September 14, 2021
We are saddened by the news of Tony's passing. He was in touch not long ago to let us know he was building a house in Brigantine, and that he looked forward to out next fundraiser. We will certainly miss his wit and charm at our events. We will post to our memorial page, if you wish. Rest Peacefully, Tony.
Donna Vitto
September 14, 2021
So sorry for the unexpected loss of your dad. Such a bright light. I admire how he spent so much of his life in the less lucrative area of research, when we all know he would have aced medical school from the beginning. He went to medical school late in life but spent all of his life dedicated to alleviating the suffering of others. So much for you to be proud of and so much achieved. I am sure you were the apple of his eye. It is so hard when the loss is so sudden. Thinking of you and hoping for a time when things are easier
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