Vito Joseph Armetta

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Vito Joseph Armetta. Dad was Brooklyn-born on March 19, 1932. He raised his family there until 1962, and then moved to West Islip, Long Island, adjacent to a little lake, for the next thirty years. 

Married to Elinor (“Ellie”), the love of his life for nearly seventy years, the past eighteen months without her has not been easy. Reminiscing about his life with her had brought Vito great comfort. His thirty wonderful years with her on Hilton Head Island, in the house they planned together, brought him joy beyond words. That house on Bobcat Lane has been a sunny haven for our extended family and friends, who shared in his joy. His renowned Sicilian recipes, always prepared with love, will be passed along to the generations that follow. 

Vito served with great pride as a crew chief in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956. Helping to keep our planes flying, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. On Long Island, he worked for General Instrument Corporation in Hicksville, New York, for thirty years as a repair technician and retired as a Key Apparatus manager. The very definition of a “can-do” guy, “Vic” could fix anything with endless calm and precision, skills he passed onto his boys. A modest man, he favored simple pleasures, which always revolved around his family. Never one to dodge a challenge, there was no task too difficult to take on. 

Our Dad is survived by his three sons: Frank of Polk City, FL, John of New York City, NY, and his wife Lisa, and Joey of West Islip, NY, and his wife Omei. He deeply loved his eight grandchildren: Frankie (Amanda), Cristina, Eric, Mark, Daniel, Kelly, Bryan, and Shelby, and his five great-grandchildren: Annie, Chloe, Emilio, Olivia, and Scarlett. They, in turn, adored him and could not wait to visit, which was a constant in his life. 

Throughout his life, he cast a wide net of love and devotion that will remain in the hearts of the many lives he touched. Eternally loved, may he rest in peace. Go easy. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 8 from 2pm to 6pm at The Island Funeral Home.  His funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 9 at 10:00 am at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church, Hilton Head Island, followed by burial in Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnel to Towers in Vito’s honor.