Bruce G. Vitale

| September 23, 2014

Bruce G. Vitale, 66, of Polk, Venango County, passed away at 5:45 p.m. Saturday at his home.

Bruce was born on April 2, 1948, in Grove City to the late Tony R. and Vernie M. Wigton Vitale.

Bruce was a man of faith.

In his early years, he lived in Branchton.

After graduating from Slippery Rock High School, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1967 and served for four years during the Vietnam War. Bruce served with the 334th jet fighter squad in Korea, then with the 469 tactical air command in Korat, Thailand. His overseas training included sea survival school in Numazu, Japan, then jungle survival in the Philippines. He was especially proud of training the pilots on proper weapon use and survival skills in case of being shot down.

After returning home from the war, he lived in Boyers. He worked at the Boyers Mines. He then retired from the tool crib at General Electric Transportation in Grove City after 30 years.

He was an avid hunter, traveling to many states hunting turkey. He also taught and instructed the art of turkey hunting to many. He has a Pennsylvania Game Commission record for a trophy deer taken in 1984.

In later years, he retired from hunting and enjoyed feeding the wild turkey, birds and deer at his home in Polk.

Bruce also loved to ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He was a Steelers fanatic.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1835 in Franklin, the Loyal Order Of Moose Lodge 83, the American Legion Post 0852 Harrisville and the NRA.

Bruce married Linda Say on June 16, 2006, and she survives.

He also is survived by his sister, Kathy (Bruce) McCall of Grove City; his sisters-in-law, Patty Say of Mercer, Jackie Say of Fort Myers and Vicki Say of Jackson Center; his father-in-law, Allen Say of Ruskin, Fla.; his nephew, Richie Panei of Franklin; and his many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The friends of Bruce G. Vitale, who passed away Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, may call from 1 to 3 and from 5 to time of services at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the FICCA Funeral HOme, 203 E. Pine St., Grove City.

Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.


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Category: Obituaries