Obituary of Bruce Vitale
Toms River, NJ – Bruce Vitale, 73, passed away on September 12, 2020 at Community General Hospital in Toms River. Born in Newark to the late Cosmo and Doris (Van Harken) Vitale, Bruce lived in Warren and Piscataway for several years prior to retiring to Toms River.
Bruce was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in 1966. After over twenty years of service, he retired as a Lieutenant with the Plainfield Fire Department. Having a love for 50’s music, he was known as the doo-wop king. He was an avid outdoorsman who thoroughly loved hunting and fishing. Bruce was a very patriotic man, loved helping others as a fireman and enjoyed every minute he could with his children and grandchildren.
Predeceased by his step-son Timothy Coates in 2010, he is survived by his wife of twenty-two years Anne C. Fox, sons Douglas Vitale and his wife Lana of Howell, Philip Vitale of Middlesex, daughter Noel Tiarks of Tomah, WI and brother Brian Vitale and his wife Diane of Warren. Bruce will be missed deeply by his four adored grandchildren; Brianna Spence, Caitlyn and Abigail Vitale and Nicholas Manna as well as by many friends.
Visitation will be held at the South Plainfield Funeral Home, 2456 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm and on Thursday, September 17, 2020 beginning 10:30 am. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday beginning 11:00 am followed by burial at Resurrection Burial Park in Piscataway.
In lieu of flowers, donations sent in Bruce’s name to the NJ Conservation Foundation (https://www.njconservation.org/donate-now/) or to the New Jersey Fireman’s Home (www.njfh.org) would be appreciated. Please visit www.SouthPlainfieldFuneralHome.com to send online condolences to the family.
To see Bruce's photos, please visit his profile on FindAGrave.com: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/215634392/bruce-vitale/photo