Obituary for Ernest James Vitale
Ernest James Vitale
March 30, 1940 – June 5, 2020
On Friday, June 5th 2020, Ernest James Vitale passed away peacefully at the age of 80 years old. Ernie was born in Kenilworth NJ on March 30, 1940 to Rose (nee Russo) and Samuel Paul Vitale. He and his older brother Paul grew up in Kenilworth where generations of the Vitale family were raised. On September 8, 1962 Ernie married Patricia Folk of Springfield. They lived in Kenilworth for most of their life until they moved to Manchester NJ.
Ernie served his country in the United States Navy at age 19 and was on the Naval Ship U.S.S. Wallace Lind a Naval destroyer and was honorably discharged.
Ernie truly enjoyed working in the grocery business and the produce department for Mayfair Supermarkets. In 1975, he and his brother Paul purchased and operated the Kenilworth Foodtown where all their children worked as well.
Ernie’s other passion was the Kenilworth Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He was a member of both for over 35 years as well as being the President of the Fire Department for 17 years. Ernie had many lifelong friends from early school years, the Navy, the Kenilworth Fire Department and from the supermarket business.
His other love was the Jersey shore, he spent hours on Ortley beach reminiscing with his brother Paul and his family and friends.
Ernie is preceded in death by his beloved parents Sam Paul and Rose (nee: Russo) Vitale and Brother Paul Vitale who passed in February 2020. Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years Patricia (Folk) Vitale, Son Ernest J. Vitale and daughter in law Clare Vitale, his Daughter, Claudine Tantillo and son in law, Ron Tantillo and his Daughter Sandy Skwarek and son in law, Gary Skwarek. Grandchildren Cory, Danny, Melissa, Tommy, Olivia, Jessica and Alex and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a private family viewing only on Tuesday morning, June 9, 2020 at Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park and burial at Graceland Memorial Cemetery. Due to the current Covid-19.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: VNA Health Group Foundation (Hospice) at
Vnahg.org/support-hospice or send to 23 Main Street, Suite D1, Holmdel, NJ 07733 Attn: Elia Desruisseaux, or the Kenilworth Fire Department, 491 Washington Ave, Kenilworth, NJ 07033
March 30, 1940 – June 5, 2020
On Friday, June 5th 2020, Ernest James Vitale passed away peacefully at the age of 80 years old. Ernie was born in Kenilworth NJ on March 30, 1940 to Rose (nee Russo) and Samuel Paul Vitale. He and his older brother Paul grew up in Kenilworth where generations of the Vitale family were raised. On September 8, 1962 Ernie married Patricia Folk of Springfield. They lived in Kenilworth for most of their life until they moved to Manchester NJ.
Ernie served his country in the United States Navy at age 19 and was on the Naval Ship U.S.S. Wallace Lind a Naval destroyer and was honorably discharged.
Ernie truly enjoyed working in the grocery business and the produce department for Mayfair Supermarkets. In 1975, he and his brother Paul purchased and operated the Kenilworth Foodtown where all their children worked as well.
Ernie’s other passion was the Kenilworth Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He was a member of both for over 35 years as well as being the President of the Fire Department for 17 years. Ernie had many lifelong friends from early school years, the Navy, the Kenilworth Fire Department and from the supermarket business.
His other love was the Jersey shore, he spent hours on Ortley beach reminiscing with his brother Paul and his family and friends.
Ernie is preceded in death by his beloved parents Sam Paul and Rose (nee: Russo) Vitale and Brother Paul Vitale who passed in February 2020. Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years Patricia (Folk) Vitale, Son Ernest J. Vitale and daughter in law Clare Vitale, his Daughter, Claudine Tantillo and son in law, Ron Tantillo and his Daughter Sandy Skwarek and son in law, Gary Skwarek. Grandchildren Cory, Danny, Melissa, Tommy, Olivia, Jessica and Alex and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a private family viewing only on Tuesday morning, June 9, 2020 at Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park and burial at Graceland Memorial Cemetery. Due to the current Covid-19.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: VNA Health Group Foundation (Hospice) at
Vnahg.org/support-hospice or send to 23 Main Street, Suite D1, Holmdel, NJ 07733 Attn: Elia Desruisseaux, or the Kenilworth Fire Department, 491 Washington Ave, Kenilworth, NJ 07033