Vito's stuff

Some Music he liked.

Various items he kept.

Homecoming, 2001

Vito and his girlfriend Kelley at the Homecoming game.

Vito's friends were such a comfort to Scott and I after he died. They stopped by often and would tell us stories of their times with him. I wrote down some of them and wanted to add a few of Kelley's stories to this post.

There was the time they went to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. When they came out of the restaurant they saw shooting stars in the sky. They spent a romantic evening continuing to watch them while sitting on the hood of the car in the parking lot.

One day she hung out while he mowed our yard. She thought he looked cute doing it but eventually got bored and, to entertain herself, started singing the Star Spangled Banner at the top of her lungs. He stopped the mower and came over and kissed her.

There was a sweet moment when she was upset and crying over something in the car and he reached over and gave her a hug.

It impressed her when, after he impulsively criticized her, he was mature enough to apologize.

Kelley likes cows. She had a stuffed one that said "Mirr!" Vito had a tendency to over do. The cow said "Mirr"....a lot!

Have a great Veteran's Day. Many thanks to the Veterans who serve for us, past and present.

We miss you Vito, it's been 8 long years without you.

Fall, 2001

Here's a picture of Vito taken at his friend's house. He's been working steadily for the carpet store and has actually applied for and gotten another job with an overhead door company. It's better pay with benefits too and he starts mid November. The engine on the '90 Grand Am I gave him seized up. He and his father try to replace the engine without success. His Dad gets him a deal on a used Plymouth Reliant station wagon. Not exactly a "chick magnet" car but it runs. For fun he hangs out with his friends working on cars, playing computer games, eating pizza and cruising around listening to music.

Flashback to July, 1997

Having a blast riding the Mind Eraser at Darien Lake, Scott, me, Vito, Michael and Mom. Never wear post earrings on the Mind Eraser, Owwww.

Senior picture

Vito wasn't going to get his senior picture taken despite my begging. I had to work the Saturday of his appointment so it seemed hopeless that I would get a picture. Luckily Scott was able to guilt him into it. I was so pleased. As you can see it's very nice. The vignette and frame was added by me using picnik photo editor (free).

Celebrating Grandma Linda's Birthday

August 31, 2001, Mom's house for her birthday party. Hanging out with Mike trying to avoid getting his picture taken.


The message to his persistent Mom had to be edited out but I think you get the picture (ha, ha).
Check out the shirt, Southpark, one of his favorites.

August, 2001

Vito went to the Jaguar show with Scott and is standing in front of an XK120.


At a family function he preferred not to attend (kinda cranky).

Flashback to 1983

Today is Vito's Birthday, he would have been 26. I came across this 5 generation picture taken on Christmas, 1983 and wanted to share it. On the left is Vito's Great, Great Grampa George, then Great Grandma Goldie, then Grandma Linda, then his Mom holding him at 3 months old. Happy Birthday buddy, love, Mom

August, 2001

Admiring a jeep at a car show he went to with Scott. Vito's a graduate now with his high school diploma. He pulled through at the last minute, barely passing English, and didn't have to go to summer school. We are all relieved but it was so close he didn't order a gown and couldn't be in the ceremony. He gets a job with a flooring and carpet store doing installations. I give him my old grand am so he can get back and forth to work. The boy has become a man.

Photography 101

Vito took photography his senior year. Most of the pictures he took were of friends and classmates, some of his teachers, some album covers and some of home. Above is his picture of his Dad's Dodge Ramcharger plow truck that Vito spent many hours working on to improve it's condition.


Here is his picture of his computer workstation in his room. Note the wires coming out of the front!



His South Park calendar.

Kit Kat hanging out in his room.

School Days, Senior year, June 2001

Vito's girlfriend gave me these pics of him goofing around with his friends in school.

Obviously a very serious course discussion.



Some censoring required.

Festus Success!

A truly proud moment for Vito after he convinces our cat Festus to sit on his lap. Festus is a stray we took in 3 years prior to this picture and very afraid of people. At that time it was rare for him to let someone pet him much less hold him. But Vito never gave up and slowly Festus warmed up to him. We still have Festus now, we estimate him to be about 13 years old. He's still terrified of strangers but extremely loving and loyal to Scott and I. There has never been a more devoted cat.


No sudden moves, don't want to startle him!

March, 2001

A relaxed Vito and silly Scott enjoying Grandma Goldie's 80th birthday party.

Christmas 2000

Ooooo presents!! Our last Christmas with Vito :-(

This beautiful leather jacket I picked out didn't go over so well. He ended up returning it, not really his style (he looked so awesome in it), oh well.

More clothes, not exactly the 4 wheeler he was hoping for.

Success, this "Spear Britney" was well liked and worn often.

Not enjoying getting his pic taken while eating at Grandma Linda's house. Of course he's never too far from the computer.

Age 17

Scott posing with our carved pumpkins. Vito's pumpkin is on the far left and reflects his growing lack of enthusiasm for our yearly carving tradition. He did make an effort but at 17 trick or treating is definitely not "cool".




Vito, far right, with some friends in December.

July 2000, Family Reunion

Spring 2000

My two handsome guys. Despite the solemn occasion, my great uncle John's funeral, I insisted on a photo. Vito being dressed up is a rare thing indeed as his usual outfit was jeans and a T-shirt. We arrived to the funeral in the nick of time and not many seats were left. There wasn't room for the three of us to sit together so Vito had to sit a couple isles ahead us to the right. The minister gave an incredibly touching eulogy with many lovely, personal anecdotes about our uncle John. At one point he spoke about how God loves us all despite our faults and sins. I looked over at Vito and there were tears in his eyes.

Same outfit but a different occasion. My graduation from LPN school. I never could have done it without the help and support of Scott and Vito. They both sacrificed so much to get me thru those grueling 10 months of classes, studying and endless hours of homework. I am forever in their debt.

March, 2000

Scott and Vito posing with my beautiful blooming Amaryllis in Scott's newly updated shop. The Amaryllis was promptly returned to Vito's room where he accidentally bumped into it. The stem broke in half and Vito thought for sure I'd be furious. I bit my tongue and smiled and, despite the hopeless looking situation, told him we could fix it. We got some wet paper towel and some tape, straightened out the stem and put a makeshift splint on it. It looked ridiculous but the other 2 buds actually opened and the plant thrived for a few more weeks.

A Christmas smile, 1999

That face says it all, Christmas is his favorite holiday. He passed out all the gifts that morning with joy. Why the wet knee? Turns out our tree stand had a slow leak and we didn't know it.

Young man

October, every year we'd pick out and carve pumpkins for Halloween, Vito's is on the first one on the left.

This is Vito in November, 1999. He is so grown up and handsome. He wont let me cut his hair anymore and instead does it himself. The sides are shaved and the top is left long. He puts it in a pony tail and then throws a hat on. He's never liked the color of his hair but to me it's gorgeous, a deep copper with auburn and sometimes maroon looking highlights. He loves computers and video games and would spend hours playing with them if I let him. He doesn't like school but enjoys the friends he's made there and always seems to have an endearing nickname for each one.

16th Birthday

We had a small family party for Vito's sixteenth birthday. Here he is posing with his cousins.

Celebrating with his grand parents, great grandmother and cousins.

With his cousins and favorite drink, giving me a nice smile.

With his Uncle.

In this picture Vito is holding an old camera I let him have. I don't think he took any pictures with it but he had a great time firing the flash at his guests that day.

Alex Bay trip, July, 1999

The boys, ready to face the day


Vito on the seaway cruise


A nice view of Boldt Castle.



Vito and Scott in front of the castle.

Vito and his Mom ready to go to dinner.

My handsome guys!

Vito watching his Banana Flambe being prepared at Jacques restaurant in the Riveredge Hotel

A quick Go-Kart race on the way to Clayton.

Vito in the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.

A Hydroplane on display in the Museum.