Obituary of Guido Vitrella

Longtime Resident of Shelton Guido Vitrella, age 87, husband of 64 years of Anne Pirrello Vitrella, entered peacefully into eternal rest on December 31, 2010 at the home of his beloved daughter Joyce Vitrella Campanaro and granddaughter, Diane Campanaro in Sunrise, Florida. Born on April 16, 1923 in Piana di Caiazzo (Caserta), Italy, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Angelina Mone Vitrella. A long time resident of Shelton, CT and previously Bridgeport, CT, Guido is survived by his loving wife Anne, and three children: Joyce Campanaro; Salvador Vitrella and his wife, Patricia, of Port St. Lucie, FL; and Dennis Vitrella and his wife, Angeles, of Lafayette, LA. He enjoyed the love of eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and many dear nephews and nieces and their children. He was pre-deceased by a very close brother, Joseph Vitrella, a Bridgeport policeman. He was a U. S. Army, World War II veteran who served at Headquarters ETO, Engineer Section. Prior to his landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day+3, he was assigned to Headquarters Advance Section, Command Z as a French Interpreter. He earned five battle stars. After his discharge from the service he attended New York University and received his BS and MA degrees in Foreign Languages. He also attended Central Connecticut State College and Bridgeport University where he received his 6th year degree. By Civil Service Examination, he began his teaching career at Central High School as a teacher of Italian. He later became chairman of the Foreign Language Department. For several years, he also served as assistant athletic director and coach of the boys bowling team at Central. He taught French, Italian and Spanish in the adult evening school program for many years. He arranged trips abroad for Foreign Language students, teachers and parents. He also participated in the foreign exchange program by accompanying a group of students from Central to France. He was a member of the National and Connecticut Education Associations, and the Connecticut and Greater Bridgeport Retired Teachers Associations. For many years he was a member of American Legion Post #11 and transferred to Post #16. He was a member of VFW Post 9460. He was co-founder of the Italian-American Civic Council, which later became the Italian Community Center. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Augustines Cathedral, Bridgeport with lifelong friend, the Rev. Victor Martin celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-8 p.m.