Beloved husband of Joan Vitale for 69 Years.
Loving father of Sandra Paccione and Louise (Gary) Griffin.
Cherished grandfather of Kristen Duzan, Allison O'Connell, Scott Griffin and Matthew Griffen.
Adored great grandfather of Cooper, Ethan, Abigail and Chase.






Salvatore Vitale died on February 17, 2021. Born August 7, 1927 he was a lifelong resident of Smithtown, New York. He was married to Joan Vitale for 69 years.
He attended Smithtown schools & was a proud WW II Vet serving in the Navy from 1943- 1946.
He worked in the field of aviation his entire career retiring from Grumman Aerospace in 1991.
Sal enjoyed vacationing in Central Maine at a camp he built himself with the help of friends back in the 60's. To this day his family still enjoys the same camp on Locke Pond in Chesterville, Maine some 50 plus years later. He belonged to multiple organizations. He was a 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus which he joined in 1955. He was a member of the VFW in Kings Park.
Sal was the past president of the Long Island Early Fliers Education Foundation. In recent years he spearheaded a seemingly impossible task of building a museum hangar at Bayport Aerodrome, a project dreamt & discussed for 26 years. Sal was able to see the project through to its completion & dedication.
Much of his personal collection of aviation memorabilia will be donated & displayed at the museum along with many items already exhibited at "the hangar".
Sal had a great whit and everyone enjoyed his unlimited stories. He will be missed by many, young & old alike.