Vito Joseph Amato, 91, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, passed away at his home in Fellowship Village on March 19,2024. Vito was born in Newark, New Jersey on May 28, 1933, to Pasquale and Theresa Amato. Following his graduation from Roxbury High School, Vito began working for Bell Labs. At the age of 19, he was drafted into the army where he attended boot camp at Camp Pickett, VA then received further medical training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. Following training, Vito transferred to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC and was later stationed overseas at Maison Fort in Orleans, France which was the medical headquarters and main hospital 70 miles from Paris. CPL Vito J. Amato served in the United States Army from May 1953 to May 1955 during the Korean War.

After his deployment Vito returned to work at Bell Labs as a manager in the business department and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Business Degree. It was at Bell Labs where he met his wife of 54 years, Janet R. Harrison. Vito later transitioned to working for AT&T and started his own financial planning business after retiring.

Vito was a dedicated father, husband, family man and fun-loving grandfather who created wonderful, unforgettable memories. Vito’s greatest joys in life were raising his three children and spending time with family. Sunday afternoons were the highlight of his week, a weekly gathering bustling with family, love and laughter. The family gathered together at his childhood home in Port Morris, NJ enjoying wonderful homemade Italian food, playing games, and sitting on the picnic table under a canopy of grapes. Every summer when his children were growing up, he planned weeks-long camping trips where together the family explored numerous National Parks all across the United States.

Vito was preceded in death by his wife Janet of 54 years and his two brothers Jack and Pasquale. He is survived by his three children, five grandchildren, two great- granddaughters, niece Patty Jones and nephew Jack Amato Jr. Son Rev. Brian (Suzi) and children Kristen (Brandon Radke & daughter Lillian), Jonathan and Andrew

Daughter Rita (Rick Priester), Sydney (Ronald Abels & daughter Maralesha) and Horace “H.R.” and Son Rob (Amanda)

To quote Vito, “I lived the American dream,”  and he truly did.

The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday. March 23, 2024 at 10 am at the RiverLife Church, 227 S. Morris Street, Dover, NJ 07801 Arrangements are by the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com)