Salvatore ”Sam” Joseph Vitale, 72, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his devoted wife and children on Sunday, October 6, 2024. Since his diagnosis with Stage 4 lung cancer in February of 2023, he fought as hard as he possibly could until no viable treatment options remained. He faced the end of his life with courage, dignity, and acceptance of God’s will. He was a man of devout faith, love, and integrity.
Sam was the oldest of six children born in St Louis, Missouri on August 29,1952. He grew up on the Hill surrounded by his Italian heritage. He attended The Epiphany of Our Lord for grade school followed by Christian Brothers College for high school, where he graduated in 1970. He later pursued college education at various universities but left prior to graduating in order to begin his career at Vee Jay Cement Contracting Co. He worked diligently for the company for 49 years, many of which were alongside his father, Cesare Vitale, who founded the company, and later he was honored to work with two of his sons for fifteen years before his retirement in 2021. Over the course of his career, he grew this small, family-owned company into one that was a staple in the construction industry contributing to multiple well-known projects and buildings throughout the St Louis community and surrounding areas. A few of his many accomplishments were being honored with the Vee Jay Award of Excellence, the Italian Society Man of the Year, and Induction into the Concrete Council Hall of Fame. He was passionate about his work and treated all his employees as family. Many of those he often mentored and supported in numerous ways. He was more than just a gracious boss but also a friend.
He loved spending time in the kitchen and was passionate about perfecting his recipes for meatballs, tomato sauce, bread and anything else that would unite his family around the table in love and fellowship. He also enjoyed classic cars, history, and playing the accordion. He continued to seek knowledge and education about various subjects by immersing himself in books. But his favorite was always being alongside his wife, children, and grandchildren with whom he shared in the joys and trials of life. His faith was paramount in his life and guided his thoughts, words, and actions. He regularly attended mass at St Justin Martyr Church, prayed the rosary, and lived his life devoted to his faith, which he understood was the ultimate source of strength, joy, and peace. In addition, he and his wife hosted a celebration in honor of the Blessed Mother each May for over 30 years. He also initiated Bible study classes for many of his grandchildren and spent vast amounts of time preparing lessons that would encourage them to grow in their Catholic faith and be devoted followers of Christ.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Anne (nee Audrain); his six children; Sam (Adriane) Vitale, Charlie (Lauren) Vitale, Joey (Brianna) Vitale, Maria (Charlie) Mattingly, Angelina (Eric) Carlson, and Josie (Aaron) Mueller; 20 grandchildren; and his siblings Joe (Kathy), Annette Auck, Rose (Paul) Winkelmann and Charlie (Molly). He was preceded in death by his parents, Cesare and Josephine Vitale; his infant daughter, Angelina Maria, and a brother, Leonard Vitale.
SERVICES: Arrangements include visitation on Sunday, October 13 from 4pm-8pm and on Monday, October 14 at 10am with Mass following at 11am. Both will be held at St Justin Martyr Church, 11910 Eddie and Park Road, St Louis, 63126, with interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 Mackenzie Road, St Louis 63123. Additionally, the funeral Mass will be live streamed at the following website (https://www.youtube.com/@StJustinMartyrCatholicChurch).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Sam’s memory be sent to one of the many charities that he loved and supported. Suggestions include the Daughters of Saint Paul (https://give.pauline.org/), Siteman Cancer Center/Lung Research (https://siteman.wustl.edu/give/giving/), or Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital (https://8008.thankyou4caring.org/).
We are confident that Sam impacted many lives and served as a beautiful example of faith, kindness, and humility. Our entire family is grateful for the love and prayers we have received throughout his journey and especially now as we grieve such a great loss. We acknowledge how blessed we were to share our lives with someone so incredible and we know that our Lord will provide all that we need in coming days and weeks. We find comfort knowing that he was deeply loved by so many.
I’ve known Sam for years. We met because of our shared passion for antique airplanes and our work at Cardinal Glennon Hospital. Sam was genuinely one of the best men I’ve met in life. He left a trail of good will wherever he went. God speed, my friend.
Sam was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. Words cannot adequately describe him, other than an angel in a human body.
Such a wonderful man. I will miss him, as will so many others! May the Angels lead him to Paradise.
Sam V was a great man and has touched so many lives in positive ways. The person you would want next to you in the “fox hole”!
I went to CBC with Sam and as two south siders and he was a great guy to be around and what success he achieved in his life. A life well lived for sure!
I had the good fortune of doing professional work for Sam Vitale over almost 20 years, and he was one of the kindest and most sincere persons I ever met. My prayers and condolences go out to Mary Anne his terrific family. I am so sorry I will be out of the country at the time of his service and cannot extend these wishes personally.
What an angel we have lost! My deepest condolences to his family, knowing what a vast ocean of love he tended with you! Sam made the St. Louis construction industry better through his passion for quality concrete construction, the way he built his team, his commitment to mentoring and so much more. His devotion to the Blessed Mother makes me hope he is visiting with her in heaven!! She’s been waiting for him!
I’ve know Sam for over 35 years. I have never met a finer man in my life.
Mary Anne and family,
On behalf of my Mom and the staff at Wolf’s Flower Shop, we extend our deepest sympathy. It was always a pleasure to serve the Vitale family during our years in business. We know that heaven gained an angel in Sam and hope that your memories sustain you in the days and weeks ahead.
Lynda Hertel on behalf of Sue Pihl and Wolf’s Flower Shop
They say that life is a highway
And it’s milestones are the years,
And now and then there’s a toll gate
Where you buy your way with tears.
It’s a rough road and a steep road
And it stretches broad and far.
But it leads at last to a Golden town
Where Golden Houses are.
Joyce Kilmer(Roofs)
We send our most sincere condolences to the Vitale Family. Sam has left a tremendous legacy.
We are praying for you during this difficult time of separation.
God bless you,
Penny’s Concrete, Inc.
Great person and a personal great friend. You will be missed. Prayers and condolences for your entire family.
Sam was one heck of a guy . Very easy to talk to and very driven in his faith . We need more Sam VITALE’s in this world.
“The happiness of the blessed in heaven would not be complete if they did not know what happens on earth…” regarding their loved ones and colleagues. Sam can help us until we reach our final destination with God. May God give peace and comfort to his family.
I remember Sam from my years of being stationed in St Louis, especially his kindness, generosity and love for the Blessed Mother. May his soul be blessed with eternal happiness with his heavenly Mother, whom he so loved and her Divine Son.
Sam, was a great man to work with, a friend and great advisor. I will miss him!
I was fortunate to have done business with Sam over the years . He was always a gentle person and was a good leader. His kind ways will be missed in our industry.
I’ve lived in many convents in cities around the country and have met many people, but the memory of having known Sam from my time in St. Louis has left a deep and lasting impression on me. May the good God reward him abundantly for all his goodness and generosity to so many people. Loving thoughts to Mary Ann and the whole family
Sam. You were not only my boss for so very long but a friend and a teacher. You were so kind and caring and always there to make sure all was good at work and with all your employees whom you thought of as family. You used to always come walk me from my car into the building in the winter so I wouldn’t slip all those early mornings at work and even though I thought it was a little unnecessary I always appreciated your thoughtfulness. There aren’t enough words to describe what an amazing man you were and you and your family will forever hold a special place in my heart. May you rest in peace and look over us all ♥️
Sam was a great guy. He did a lot for the community for the family business and anybody that knew him he would always say hi remembered everybody definitely will be missed. I knew the family when they lived in. Afton and he had anddrove his 70 Chevelle. And his father drover 6263 Chevy Station wagon loaded down with tools, etc. just like Sam’s suburbans he used to drive one nice guy great family
Sam is and was the most caring, faithful, and thoughtful person we were all so lucky to have in our lives, although not long enough. We will love you always and forever, Uncle Sam. MJLIYH.
Worked with Sam for 35 years and you will never find a harder worker. Sam spent his life learning all about our craft and loved teaching others what he figured out. Sam had a terrific sense of humor . He loved telling and hearing stories about his father, brothers and anything Vee Jay. Sam respected all his employees and especially our retired tradesmen. Sam was a gift !
I’m glad that I got to know Sam. He was a great guy to work with.
Mary Anne and Family,
Like so many others, we loved Sam and will miss him dearly. He was a good friend and one of the most selfless persons we’ve ever known……….so kind and generous and his faith was contagious. We will never forget the love and support you both showed Jan in her time of need. May he rest in peace knowing he was so loved and appreciated.
Sam Vitale was an incredible man. He embraced his call as a husband and father and an honest upright business man. He left the world a much better place. May he now enjoy the fullness of God’s peace.
Our community is forever grateful for his many kindnesses.
Sr. Christine
Daughters of St. Paul
Sam was as good a businessman as he was a quality individual. Sam carried his faith with him in all his dealings. A man of integrity, best in the business. Will miss his honesty and sincerity.
Sam was a dear friend, I’ll miss our long phone conversations that always ended with give your wife a hug for me. May God bless Sam and the entire Vatile family.
Dear Mary Anne, Joey, and the entire Vitale family, Our heartfelt condolences extend out to you. We fondly remember the days when Joey was playing hockey in SD and how proud we were to be his housing family. Mary Anne, when you, Sam, and family were able to visit, Sam had that God-given ability to make us all feel so comfortable like one big Family…….Although he will be greatly missed, it is clear from the many comments that the blessings of the Holy Spirit were with him always, and he shared that gift with so many. There is a tear in my eye for you and the family, but also a slight smile, knowing that God has Sam in his arms now, saying, “Well done my Faithful Servant”. With Love and prayers, Mark, Leslie, Tierney, Braxton, Gabrielle, and Adrianna.
Sam’s generosity and prayerful spirit impacted so many of us. I am so grateful to have known him. We are all covering his family in prayers and telling Jesus of our gratitude ❤️
(novice, Daughters of St Paul)
It was quite a learning experience to be able to work for him at Vee Jay
a great boss, a great leader, a great servant, a great human being. A man with the ability to maintain a special relationship with each of his employees. Sympathy, honesty, discipline and tolerance were always
his code! I am sure that he is on the right path to a happy destiny.
The way Sam lit up the room as he walked in. How proud he was when he introduced his Mary Ann to me for the first time. The way his face lit up when he told me all of the kids names and then bragged how many grandchildren they have. The way he hugged you and he never met a strange. Mary Ann, Sam and Vee Jay generosity when our daughter was on hospice, how he would call Craig from time to time to check on Katie and having a St Baldrick’s event in her honor. Words will never begin to describe what the Sam the Vitale means to us. There is no doubt how much love he had in his heart. He will be deeply missed. Until we meet again dear friend. With Love, Craig, Jeanette, Connor and Dylan Voyles
It was an honor to know Sam. He was a man of loyalty and the highest integrity. If you were a friend of Sam’s, you knew that you always had his unwavering support.
Sam was so generous to so many people and organizations. Always quietly making a difference, especially for children. That’s the way he wanted it. Never about Sam and always about shining the light on others.
I will miss our lunchtime conversations. The world lost a really good one.
Mary Anne and Vitale family: Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. I have known Sam for 50 years, first in the construction business and then by being CBC Brothers for Life. Looking back over all the years I worked with him in construction. I can’t recall a single time when Sam lost his cool or his manners or his respect for the other person. Construction could be a rough and tumble business, but Sam always maintained the same values and commitment to doing what’s right through it all. The only regret I have is not seeing Sam more often in later years. But the magical thing about him was that you didn’t need to see him often for him to understand how much he meant to me , and for me to understand how much I meant to him. We’ve lost a great friend and a great person. I too am out of the country and will miss the service, but he will be in my thoughts that day and for days going forward.
We have lost an angel among us. RIP Sam.
Maryann & family, I am so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. John Karl had told me he was battling cancer. Sam was one the very kindest people that John and I met at St. Justin’s. He was always helping out with the boy’s scout troop. I remember when he still had the biplane. At some point he offered to take my husband, John up for a ride. John was so very thrilled that day. My prayers are with you and the family.
Mary Anne, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you grieve the loss of Sam. I remember when you and I were sitting in a movie theater years ago when you whispered to me that you were expecting your first baby. Our husbands were in the theater watching another movie that we didn’t wish to see. And I remember Sam bringing out the accordian one time when we had dinner at your home. May the good Lord sustain you all during this time. You were blessed to have such a wonderful husband for all these years.
Sam & I were friends since the mid-70’s. First in business & then in the antique car hobby. He was one of the most sincere people I have ever known.
My condolences to his family
MARC & BEV OHM
MaryAnne,Joey and the Vitale family, I want to extend our condolences for your loss of Sam. Time flies and I have not seen Sam or you for many years but will always remember the great memories of standing at the glass at Affton rink watching the boys skate. He always had positive kind words to say!
You are in my thoughts and prayers
Mike Cathy Tony Gina Biffignani t
In this temporary life, we’re walking each other toward our eternal home. I have been blessed to take a few steps along the way with Mary Anne and Sam, truly one of the most saintly men I’ve ever known. I rejoice that I knew him. I’ve had so many holy moments and memories while attending the May Crownings at their beautiful grotto of our Blessed Mother. On this day and from this day forward, I wish Mary Anne and the Vitale family my favorite Irish blessing:
“May the hand of a friend always be near you.”
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Sam. Sam would call me every year to personally to wish me a happy birthday and to check to see how I was doing. I enjoyed our talks from time to time after he retired. Sam was a great man with a big heart. He will be missed.
Sam was one of the nicest men I have ever known. He was a kind and thoughtful man to everyone he met or came in contact with. He was always a bright light person.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Vitale family. We’ve known Sam for many years, a man with a heart of gold.. He will be missed🙏.
Dear Vitale Family,
On behalf of myself and the O’Basuyi family, I extend our deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved Sam Vitale.
Our hearts and prayers are with you, your family, and the entire community during this time of immeasurable loss.
Death is an inevitable part of life, a journey each soul must take. What we owe the departed are not tears—because no amount of sorrow can bring them back—but our sincere prayers for their peace and rest.
We are heartbroken for you and all who knew and loved Sam. Please accept our heartfelt condolences as we stand with you in your grief. We pray that God provides comfort to your family and loved ones during this difficult time.
May the God of heaven and earth grant Sam’s soul eternal rest and welcome him into everlasting peace.
With deepest sympathy,
Patrick O’Basuyi
OBAX Group
Condolences to the family of Sam Vitale. Sam was my college roommate at the University of Missouri – Columbia for one semester in 1970. He was a wonderful friend. Rest in Eternal Peace.
Sam was a good and kind and generous man. I was inspired by his devotion to the Blessed Mother. He will be missed by ever one. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Vitale family: Mary Anne, Sammy, Charlie, Joey, Maria, Angie, and Josie.
Deep sympathy and condolences to the family of Sam Vitale who was a great man of integrity in many ways.
Let me share with you my recent article on “Coming and going”:
https://mtorchid88.blogspot.com/2024/10/coming-and-going.html
With the exception of my father, Sam was the finest man I ever met.
Sam was a great man. Dear friend to the entire Di Gregorio family. He will be missed dearly and our hearts prayers and thoughts go out to his entire family. God bless him for all the work he did for Cardinal Glennon hospital and so many other children’s charities. 🙏🙏🙏
Dear Mary Anne and family,
I met Sam initially many years ago as we attended Holy Mass on Saturdays and as a Daily Communicant at Saint Justin’s.
In all the years I have known Sam I never knew of his involvement with VeeJay. Or that he was battling cancer.
I knew him only as a devout Servant on the Altar. A powerful witness to the Faith. And a very proud and happy Father and Grandfather.
That is how incredibly humble he was.
I was so impressed from the very beginning by his devotion to the Catholic Church, Holy Mass and the Blessed Mother Mary.
The two of you, Mary Anne, inspired, strengthened and encouraged me in the practice and devotion of my faith.
His witness to the Faith was beyond measure.
Sam and I texted frequently over the years. On a very regular basis. He always chuckled from the messages I sent, courteously responding promptly and appreciated all the sharing we did, especially about or faith.
I loved every interaction with Sam, whether in person or through our many text chats.
He was always so very proud of his children and grandchildren. His great joy!
I have known few men in my life who exhibited such sincere, devout holiness. His place in Heaven was reserved long ago.
All who knew him were enriched by this humble and holy Servant. A true Follower of Christ.
My deepest condolences on your loss. A loss no human being can replace.
Be assured of my continued prayers for all of you and for Sam’s magnanimous soul. A soul that spread the Light of Christ to us all.
A witness to all. An example to all. A friend to all.
Nick Ganim
My deepest condolences to the Vitale family. I enjoyed very much having Sam and his wonderful family in the restaurant. May he rest in peace and fly high with the angels.
Prayers,
Sirling Exley
We are grateful to Sam for his kindness and generosity to our sisters. May the angels carry him to Jesus and our Blessed Mother where he will be in eternal peace and joy. Prayers for his family and loved ones.
Dear Mary Anne and family,
Iam so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing.. he was such a wonderful cousin to me. We didn’t keep in touch much over the years, but when we did, it was like old times for me. Sam reminded me that when we were kids, I taught him how to tie his shoes. So sweet that he remembered that. Later in life I shared genealogy information with him.
He was a fine man, loved you and his entire family.. And devoted to God.
I had a stroke 3 years ago and am still paralyzed on my left side. Very hard for me to get around still.
I’m very proud that I was related to Sam.
And your wonderful family. aunt Josie ( sSam’s mother). Always treated me as a princess. I miss her too. I’m a great believer in prayers and sending you and family my deepest condolences and love and prayers to all of you. We lost a great man in Sam, I am grateful for his friendship and devotion throughout all of these years. I regret very much that I only recently heard of Sam’ passing