Fausto Vitello

Fausto Vitello Fausto Vitello, who co-founded ERMICO Enterprises and Thrasher Magazine, died suddenly of a heart attack while on a bicycle ride with his best friend in the hills of Woodside. He was 59 years old. Born August 7, 1946, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Fausto immigrated to San Francisco at the age of 9. He rapidly learned English listening to radio broadcasts of Giants games where he grew up on Frederick Street. After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School, Vitello attended UC Berkeley and completed his studies at San Francisco State University. He served in the Army Reserves with his beloved brothers of the 801st. Vitello invented mechanisms that revolutionized the skateboard industry and steered the world wide popularity of skateboarding through Thrasher Magazine. The success of Thrasher led to many publishing and manufacturing ventures, including Juxtapoz, Slap, DLX, Street Corner Distribution and Trackmagic racing. In addition to his wife of 32 years, Gwynned, Vitello is also survived by a son, Tony; daughter, Sally; his mother Aurora Vitello; sister, Lidia Vitello; and niece, Maria Martinez. A devoted family man, he will also be missed by his father and mother in-law Elbert and Olga Rose; sister-in-law, Shauna Rose and her husband Raymond Sullivan. His numerous business associates, friends and skateboard family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at 1 p.m. at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park on Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way. The family requests that donations may be made to the Hunter's Point Youth Park, 200 Middlepoint, San Francisco, CA 94124, Attention: Aunt Marian.