Vito “Ace” Pisano, a “centenarian” and longtime resident of Pelham Manor New York since 1948, entered into Eternal Rest at the age of 100 on August 22, 2023 He was the fourth of six sons and one daughter, born Feb. 1, 1923, in the Wakefield section of the Bronx to Angelina (Columbo) and Diego Pisano.
Vito attended PS 87 in the Bronx until the 5th grade and then went to PS 16 until the 8th Grade. He graduated from Bronx Vocational School at the age of 17 in 1939. He worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for several years working on the Missouri Battle Ship before being drafted into the Army on January 16, 1943. Vito completed basic training in Fort Dix (New Jersey) and Camp Murphy (Florida), then moved on to Texas for radar school training. He was shipped out to Saipan, and later to Iwo Jima (Battle of Pacific campaign of WWII). There he was promoted to Staff Sergeant serving as an Amphibious Duck Driver. Throughout Vito’s years of service, he served as a Staff Sergeant in World War II Army 81st Air Service, a Drill Instructor, Air Radar Mechanic, and Army Chef. He received many service awards including Sharp Shooter, Victory Medal WWII, American Defense Service, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Army Good Conduct, and American Campaign. On January 16, 1946, he was honorably discharged from the Army.
After honorably serving his country, Vito worked as an electrician in Local 3 IBEW for 37 years. He worked at Yonkers Raceway for 10 years before retiring in 1986. He was a member of Pelham Senior Club and a Senior Member of Post 50 American Legion. Mr. Pisano was an avid gardener who cultivated and shared clippings of his flowers and specialty “fig” trees.
Mr. Pisano married the love of his life, Mary Pellino, on May 1, 1948 and they were married 71 years before her passing in 2019. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to all who loved him. Vito is survived by his loving son Robert (Betty Ann) and daughter-in-law Carol; four grandsons, Robert Michael Jr. (Angela), Andrew John (Amy), Jeffery Thomas (Julie) and Anthony Joseph (AJ) Pisano; seven great grandsons Roberto, Salvatore, Vincent, Damian, Christian , Anthony (Ace), and Raphael, and one great granddaughter, Chloe Lisbeth. He is predeceased by his son Anthony J. Pisano and grandson Michael A. Pisano, sister Jennie (Pagano), brothers Michael, Frank, Louis, Daniel, and Domenick.
Mr. Pisano, a member of the greatest generation, not only served and protected his country but he served his family as a model of resiliency, strength, courage, and unconditional love. In addition, he was the Grand Marshal in the Pelham Memorial Day Parade in 2016, was honored by the New York Yankees as Veteran of the game on August 3, 2021. On February 1, 2023, he received a birthday letter from the President of the United States. As a “Centenarian” he was recognized and honored with the following seven Proclamations: Apostolic Blessing-Pope Francis, New York State Senate, Westchester Country, Town of Pelham, Village of Pelham Manor, The American Legion Pelham Post 50 US Veterans, and Knights of Columbus Council 4413.
To honor Vito’s life, his family will receive visitors on Thursday, August 24 from 2:00-8:00 pm at Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes, 824 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 25th at 10 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 575 Fowler Avenue, Pelham Manor, NY. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 95 Highway, New Rochelle, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vito’s memory to Calvary Hospital, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY or www.calvaryhospital.org Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ELBennettFuneralHomes.com for the Pisano family.
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes.
