Obituary of Lewis Vitalis II

Lewis Vitalis II was born on November 10, 1938 to Lewis and Elizabeth (Oklichany) Vitalis. He grew up in East Orange, NJ, spending weekends and summers at his grandparents farm in Wurtsburo, NY. He graduated with a degree in engineering from Northeastern University in Boston. Lewis served our country from 1961 from 1967, first in the army and then in the reserves, reaching the rank of second lieutenant. He spent many years pouring his skills and knowledge into the shipping container industry, serving on the International Container Counsel and holding several patents for his innovations in shipping containers, through his work with the companies Budd, Reliable, Thayco, and Transamerica/TAL International. While he spent his early adult years in Belmar, NJ, at one point even living on a house boat, he spent the majority of his years living in Medford Lakes, where he resided after he married his wife, Joyce (Gibson) Vitalis. They had one daughter, Hope-Ann (Vitalis) Germoso. He was a proud member and treasurer of the Boulevard Cruisers Car Club of Burlington County, NJ, a member of the Toy Train Collectors Association and a faithful friend of Indian Mills United Methodist Church.  Like all of us, Lewis lived a life far greater than his list of notable accomplishments. He was a collector of Lionel trains and antique cars. He was a big brother, a husband, a dad, a grandpa. He touched others lives in countless ways through his generosity, and was renowned for his kindness and openness to listen and truly get to know the stories, hopes and dreams of not only his family and friends but also strangers whom he encountered. He lived his life loving and serving others, and his passing leaves a huge hole—but also the opportunity to take up the torch he carried and carry on his legacy of generosity, listening, loving and serving.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Vitalis (Gibson), his brother, Alan Vitalis, his daughter Hope-Ann Germoso (Vitalis), his son-in-law Steven Germoso (whom he counted as his own son), his grandchildren, Justice, Reign, Zion, Grace & River Germoso, his nephew, Tod Vitalis, his niece, Suzann Clarke (Vitalis) and many other family members and friends who loved and were loved
by him.

His family will receive relatives and friends for visitation at the funeral home Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Funeral Service will be offered at Grove Reformed Church in North Bergen, New Jersey Thursday, December 28, 2023. Interment will follow at Grove Church Cemetery, North Bergen, New Jersey at 12:00 PM.