Francesco Vitale, 79, of Bloomfield, passed away on May 20, 2019. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am, on Wednesday, May 29th at St. Francis Xavier Church, 243 Abington Ave., Newark. Visiting is Tuesday, May 28th, from 4-8pm, at Caggiano Memorial, 62 Grove St., Montclair. An entombment will follow after Wednesday’s Mass at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, East Hanover.

Francesco was born and raised in Cimitile, Naples, Italy, migrated to the U.S. in 1962 and obtained his US citizenship in 1968. He worked construction and started his own painting business,“V & M Painting”, in 1978. He retired in 1996 to spend more time with his family.

“Franco” always enjoyed good conversation, and a better cup of espresso ! He could often be found with his friends at Cafe Intermezzo on Bloomfield Ave.

Frank, also known as “Papa” and “Nonno” to many, will be greatly missed !

He is survived by his wife Carolina (née Maione), his children Patricia Monica and her husband Michael, Nancy Rizzo and her husband Jeffrey, and his daughter Carmelina Vitale. His grandchildren, Bianca Monica, Dave Jarvis, Nicholas Francesco Rizzo, Michael Anthony Monica, Trinaty Francesca Jarvis and his sister Angelina Vitale-Greco.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Lewy Body Dementia Associations, https://www.lbda.org/