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CURTIS, Mich. -- Thomas C. Vitito passed away on September 12, 2026, doing one of the many chores he loved, hauling wood for a winter of gathering around the fireplace each evening with the love of his life, Sandra Vitito.
Thomas was born on February 2, 1939, to Wesley and Marion Vitito in Saginaw, Michigan. He graduated from Saginaw High School in 1957. Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Army and served until he was honorably discharged. Service-minded, he pursued a degree in education at Northern Michigan University, earning both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree, and, most importantly, meeting and marrying Sandra Jean Nelson in 1962. He later earned a Specialist Degree from Central Michigan University to further his career in educational leadership.
With an education degree in hand, Tom moved to Royal Oak, Michigan to teach at Kimball High School for 4 years before moving to Freeland, Michigan where he became a high school principal in the area and started a family. In 1977, Tom and his young family moved to Escanaba, Michigan where he first served as the Assistant Superintendent before retiring as Superintendent of Schools in 1992. During this time, Tom found time to coach Little League because he enjoyed watching young people grow and mature through their efforts in sports, school, and the community. He believed, "Young people are our future and should be given every opportunity to succeed."
After retirement, Tom continued serving his community in various roles. He served on the Delta County Board for 10 years and on several other boards, including the St. Francis Advisory Board, Community Action Agency, Delta Landfill & Recycling, Michigan Works, County liaison to the County Road Commission, the NMU National Alumni Board, and on the Control UP Community Corrections Board. While Tom deeply valued service, his favorite role was Papa, known to his grandsons as Papa Tom or Grandpa Tom.
Tom and Sandra moved to Big Manistique Lake in Curtis in 2004. They enjoyed spending six months at the lake and six months at their condominium in Florida. Tom loved going out on Friday nights and enjoyed his membership at the Newberry American Legion and the Escanaba Elks. He enjoyed all outdoor sports and especially loved spending time with family and friends at hunting camp. Family and friends were very important to Tom throughout his life; he loved and cared deeply for them.
Tom is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sandra; sons, Chad (Judi) Vitito and Todd (Kristi) Vitito; sister, Karen (Jim) Gilleylen; sisters-in-law, Bobbi Vitito and Maxine L'Huillier; and grandsons, John, Jim, Elliot, and Miles. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Janice Schaefer; brother, Robert Vitito; brothers-in-law, Henry Mayhew, John Tuttle, Grant Schaefer, and Fran L'Huillier; and sisters-in-law, Beverly Mayhew and Janice Tuttle.
A visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Full military honors will be accorded by the Delta County Veterans Council and the United States Army National Guard.
The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Vitito family and online condolences may be shared by visiting www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.
