February 7, 1949 - July 21, 2024

Carme S. Vitale, Jr, 75, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024 at Delaware Valley Hospital, Walton, New York, with his devoted family by his side. He fought a courageous battle with cancer.

Carme was born in Hancock, NY, on February 7, 1949 to Carme and Irene (Possemato) Vitale. He graduated from HCS in 1968 and graduated from the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) school in Memphis, TN. During his high school years he also worked alongside his father and brother, Jim, at Vitale Lumber Company. In 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Tracy Vitale, who survives him. They were married for 53 years. Together they raised three children who survive him, Kristen Vitale, Nicole Vitale Carr (Anthony) and Carme Vitale III (Kristina). He is survived by 6 grandsons: Xzavier, Dominic, Rocco and Deangelo Carr, and Evan and James Vitale. He is further survived by sisters, Beatrice (William) Parker and Angie Gray; and one brother, James (Linda) Vitale. Also surviving are sisters/brothers-in-law: Carol Vitale, Nancy (Thomas) Kulikowski, Susan Francisco, Christopher (Susanne) Tracy, John (Kathryn) Tracy, and Gene Homer; aunt Helen Possemato, aunt Anne Arnoldine; and by many nieces, nephews and special cousins including Scott, Todd and Frankie Possemato, as well as Rocky Vitale, who was like a brother to him.

Carme was predeceased by his parents Carme and Irene Vitale, his sister-in-law, Sally Homer; his cousin Ralph Possemato; and a very special uncle and aunt, Rocky and Florence Vitale.

In 1973, Carme and his brother James started Cadosia Valley Lumber. It was by a flip of a coin that made Carme president of the company and his brother, vice president. They continued at the Cadosia location until 1983 when they moved the lumber business to Newfoundland, Pennsylvania. Carme experienced a close call when at 25 when he was accidentally run over by a bulldozer at the lumber yard but that did not deter him from wanting and having a long career in the lumber business. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. The lumber business was in his blood. After his retirement, when his health allowed, he also enjoyed working part time at Bass Lumber as a skilled sawyer. He was looking forward to seeing the completion of the new Bass sawmill being constructed on the former site of Cadosia Valley Lumber.

Special thanks to Carme's one and only brother, James Vitale. They traveled back and forth to work together for decades and still managed to remain friends (most of the time).

Special thanks to Carme's one and only son, Carme Vitale III, who called him a couple of times a day. They held such a special bond.

Special thanks to his sister-in-law, Carol Vitale, for visiting him at the hospital bringing him a double espresso coffee most mornings and special thanks to his sister Angie Gray (AKA in house physician, lawyer and advocate not to mention an occasional political antagonist) who accompanied him to most of his cancer treatments.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 2pm on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Pavillon, FRENCH WOODS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, 17440 State Highway 97, Hancock, NY 13783.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Enhance UHS Delaware Valley Hospital Fund, Payable to DVH, Mail donations to 1 Titus Place Walton, NY 13856 or 607-865-2409.

Arrangements by Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock.