Francesco Vitali

A hardworking, dedicated, and driven man, Francesco Vitali was a blessing to everyone he met. Although he was taken from his loved ones too soon. He will never be forgotten.

It was during the days between WWI and WWII that Marzio and Pierina Vitali were blessed with the birth of their baby boy, Francesco, on December 17, 1928, in Rome, Italy. He was the third of eight children, joined in his family by his older siblings, Adelina and Fulvio, and his younger siblings, Franco, Quinto, Assunta, Gabriella, and Lilliana. Francesco attended local schools through the ninth grade. Life was difficult during WWII as the Nazis invaded their town. He collected exploded bomb fragments for recycling. When he had leisure time, Francesco enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he also played soccer and was an avid cyclist who competed in numerous events.

Francesco’s life was forever changed when he met Gina Fantauzzi in the neighborhood while a young boy. As teens they began dating, and after falling deeply in love they were married on August 31, 1953, in Rome when he was 24 and she was 19. As a young newlywed Francesco worked as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic, and together he and his wife were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Marzia.

Soon after, Francesco took his young family to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his sister, Adelina, had been living. He took a job as a mechanic at RC Allen while his wife worked at Keebler Cookie Company. Soon, he joined her at Keebler, working as a mechanic and later as a supervisor. While in Grand Rapids their family was completed with births of their two sons, Rani and David. As a family they enjoyed taking some vacations to places like Niagara Falls, Kentucky, Tennessee, and New York as well as several trips back to Italy to see family.

Throughout his life Francesco was a man of many interests. He was an avid golfer and bowler, and he also liked swimming and riding his motorcycle. Around home he enjoyed watching comedies on television and old wars movies, too. On the weekends he often played his reel to reels of classic Italian singers like Pavarotti and Caruso. Francesco loved eating Gina’s homemade pasta and seafood, and he made great tuna fish sauce and vegetable soup. For years he and Gina spent several months at their place in Orlando, Florida, during the winter, but after only three years they stopped going since it just wasn’t home. They also missed their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whom they both adored.

Francesco Vitali will be remembered for his sense of humor, the way he always said, “Just do what’s right,” and his kind ways, but most of all he will be remembered for his unending devotion to his family.

Francesco Vitali, aged 86 of Grand Rapids, passed away at his home on Thursday, May 28, 2015 with his loving family at his side. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Gina Vitali (Fantauzzi); his children, Marzia (Ivano Prolli) Vitali, Rani Vitali, David Vitali; his grandchildren, Nolan (Liz) Snoap, Max Prolli, Aaron Vitali (fiancée Emily Griesa), Giancarlo Vitali, Daniela Vitali, Anthony (Katie) Vitali, Nicholas Vitali, Gabriela Vitali; 9 great grandchildren; his brother and sisters, Fulvio (Rita) Vitali, Assunta Vitali, Gabriela Vitali, Lilliana Morocco, Adelina Rudnick; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Casey Vitali and his brothers, Franco Vitali and Quinto Vitali. Francesco was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and a friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. He retired from Keebler Cookie Co. and was an avid bowler and golfer. A graveside service will be held at Rosedale Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday June 1, at 2:00 PM. To sign Francesco’s guest book and to leave your own memory of him, visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com