Thursday, Jan. 13
January 13, 2011
‘Crimes of the Heart’: Tragedy, laughs
January 17, 2011
Geralto “Joe” Vita, 81, a native and resident of New Orleans, La., died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
During Mr. Vita’s working career, he owned and managed Walnut Street Grocery in Audubon Park, was associated with Drackett & Drackett Real Estate Agency, and retired in 1980 as the general manager of Soulie’s Wholesale Company in New Orleans. He was a life-long member of George Washington Masonic Lodge and various other Masonic bodies. As a member of Jerusalem Shrine, he lived a life of service to the organization and to the hospitals that they operate. In 1977 he served as Potentate of Jerusalem Shrine and also served as recorder for many years in New Orleans.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian Folse Vita; daughter, Yolanda (Kenneth) Trahan; son, Ricardo (Jill) Vita Sr.; brother, Mario Vita; sisters, Rosie Vita, Josie Windhorst and Anita Boze; four grandchildren, Kimberly (Robert) Scholz, Ricardo (Jill) Vita Jr., Jason (Sheila) Vita and Kristi Vita; two step-grandchildren, Madeline and Jonathan Barbour; and three great-grandchildren, Lilly and Elly Vita and Abigail Scholz.
He was preceded in death by his father, Giovanni Battista Vita, and his mother, Anna Marie Guarglia Vita.
The family would like to express their thanks to the Covenant Home staff for their kindness and loving support and to Hospice Compassus.
He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Jerusalem Shrine Transportation Fund, 1940 Ormond Boulevard, Destrehan, LA 70047, The Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, 17th floor, Chicago, IL 60601 or a charity of your choice.
(Leitz-Eagan)
