Peter J. Vitale

Peter J. Vitale, 80, of Rockford, died on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. He was born in Rockford on March 30, 1937, to parents, Salvatore “Sam” and Lillie (Marabella) Vitale. Peter married his loving wife, Joan in Richmond, Indiana, in 1958. Together they lived for a few years in Casablanca, Morocco while Peter served in the U.S. Airforce. Eventually, Joan and Peter settled back in Rockford to raise their family. Peter joined the Rockford Police Department and served the Rockford community for 28 years, retiring in 1993. He enjoyed baseball and the Chicago Cubs, and coached Roy Gayle Baseball, taking the Broncos All Stars to the 1978 Little League World Series in St. Joseph, MO. Peter was a graduate of the 141st session of the FBI Academy, he was awarded Policeman of the Year in 1990, a 1956 graduate at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and received his Associate's Degree from Rock Valley College. Peter’s proudest accomplishment, after raising his four sons, was the young men and women that he helped in life through his career as a Police Officer and youth baseball Coach. Peter’s life and legacy will live on through the lives that he touched.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Vitale; sons, Tony (Pamela) Vitale, Mike Vitale, Tim (Christine) Vitale, and Steve (Gail) Vitale; grandchildren, John and Alyssa Vitale, Megan Dinges, Ashley Ramirez, Jenna Vitale, and Adam, Bryan, Daniel and Drew Vitale; siblings, Paul (Bruna) Vitale, Prudy (Jim) Anderson, Salvatore “Sam” (Rita) Vitale Jr., Diane (Pat) Cavanagh, and David (Shari) Vitale; great grandchildren, Jordan Ramirez, and Westin Eccles; special friends, Dick and Connie Podeszwa, and Chuck and Jan Thomas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Mass will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2017, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, IL, 61111. Burial will immediately follow to Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108; and will continue on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until time of prayers at 12:15 p.m. at the Church. Memorial donations may be given in Mr. Vitale’s honor to the American Cancer Society. To offer condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com