Vito Di Spigna, surrounded by his loving family, was called to eternal rest on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Monroe. He was 82 years young.
Vito, the son of Vito and Marianna Di Meglio Di Spigna, was born in Forio, Ischia, a beautiful island in southern Italy, on Oct. 9, 1938.
Always a lifelong learner, Vito studied the trade of plumbing at a young age and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from New York Institute of Technology in 1977.
When interviewed at Ellis Island, Vito shared that he loved both the United States and Italy and considered both countries to be his home. Vito proudly served as an E4 in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea in 1959-60 with the 55th MP Company.
He continued his service to his country, where for nearly 28 years, he was a police officer for the NYC Transit Police Department in Districts #3, #4 and #11, retiring as a Lieutenant. The majority of his career was spent with his lifelong friends at District #11. He was a member of the NYC Lieutenants Benevolent Association and Orange County Shields.
Vito was a loyal, devoted family man and his daughters will forever be grateful for the principles he instilled in them and for the example he set. Vito had a special and unsurpassed love for his grandchildren, and he prized family and loved ones far above riches. He was well respected and loved by all who knew him; regarded as “a brother” and a “second father” by many. The world is a lesser place without him.
Vito relished time spent in all of his favorite places - toiling in his garden, caring for his fruit trees, hunting with his brothers and nephews in Meredith, N.Y., enjoying the ocean water at Topsail Beach, N.C., with his family, and snow-birding with Maureen in their Holiday, Florida, home.
Survivors include his longtime, loving companion Maureen Gibson of Monroe; his children: Marianne Purcaro and her husband Michael of Lincoln Park, N.J.; Francine Di Spigna of Monroe; Laurette Hakar and her husband Steven of Framingham, Mass.; and Gina Di Spigna of Mattapoisett, Mass.; his siblings: Vanda Regine of Staten Island; Luigi Di Spigna of Monroe; Antonio Di Spigna of Brooklyn; and Umberto Di Spigna of Brooklyn; grandchildren: Ralph Foglia III, Michael Vito Foglia, Matthew Hakar and Adam Hakar; his former spouse Lillian Di Spigna; and a host of nephews, nieces and friends that adored him. Vito was predeceased by his siblings Anna, Aniello, Giuseppe, Salvatore, Gaetano, Pasquale, Michele and Ernando.
Visitation was held Sept. 1 at Smith, Seaman, and Quackenbush Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe.
Mass was celebrated Sept. 2 at St. Anastasia Church, 21 N. Main St., Harriman. Interment followed at St. Anastasia Cemetery.
Following interment, a luncheon in Vito’s honor was held at La Vera Cucina, 43 Hillside Terrace, Monroe.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes, Monroe (845 782-8185 or www.ssqfuneralhome.com).