Obituary of Frank Vitale

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Frank bravely served his country in 5 major battles during WW II in the U.S. Army. He met his bride of 65 years, Rosalie, after completing his education at Pratt Institute of Art. He began his career in advertising and design and relocated his growing family to Detroit, MI, to design cars for General Motors. As the family kept expanding, so did his advertising and design ambitions, and in 1960, he opened his own firm, Vitale Advertising Associates in New York City. As President and Creative Director, his clients included major banking institutions throughout New York and Long Island. He belonged to and was professionally honored by organizations such as Art Directors Club of America, Financial Services Marketing Association, Bank Marketing Assoc. of NY, and American Association of Advertising Agencies. Frank was one of the original "ad men" of the sixties and seventies; the complete package of charisma, class, and creativity. Throughout his life, his other passion was music. An avid guitar, banjo, and mandolin player, he performed with Just A Bunch of Banjos for many years, as well as always at the request of friends for parties, nursing homes, and Activities Unlimited social functions. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosalie, his seven children, Ronald of Suffern, NY; Thomas and wife Rosemary of Wyckoff; Barbara Russo and husband Michael of Ridgewood; Lisbeth Jerejian of Hawthorne; Patricia McNamara and husband Daniel of Wyckoff; James and wife June of Atlanta, GA, and Diane Haynes and husband Matthew of Allendale. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and his brother Michael of West Islip, NY. Visitation will be held at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff from 2 to 6 pm on Sunday, November 30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, December 1, at Guardian Angel Church, 320 Franklin Turnpike in Allendale. Memorial donations in Frank's memory may be made to American Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 and Villa Marie Claire Hospice - The campaign for Villa Marie Claire, 718 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck, NJ 07666.