Obituary of John Vitt

John Michael Vitt Peacefully after a brief illness, John Vitt passed away at the age of 87 years on September 22, 2009 at the Golden Door Geriatric Centre. John was born in Winnipeg on December 2, 1921 to Frances and Joseph Vitt. He and his twin brother Frank were the oldest of 5 boys who grew up in the north end of Winnipeg. He completed his education at St. John's High School in 1939. That same year, his family moved to a farm near Petersfield, Manitoba. Soon after, John enlisted in the Canadian Air Force where he worked as an airplane mechanic on a base near Brandon. It was here that he met the love of his life, Natalie Ryfa (Nettie) whom he married in 1945. They settled in Winnipeg where they raised their four children. Early in their married life, John worked for Hart Emerson and then was employed by the CPR where he worked as a Switchman until he retired in 1981 after 35 years of service. John was a devoted father and husband. While he was able, he enjoyed many summers with Nettie and family and friends at Villa Vitt, their lake cottage at Twin Beaches on Lake Manitoba, until her passing in 1995. He was quite a handyman and was always tinkering and repairing some piece of equipment that had seen better days. He loved music and in his younger years often led "sing-a-longs" on the guitar. He also loved to play the piano and violin. John was predeceased by his mother Frances (1958), his father Joseph (1968), his brothers Louis (1987), Joseph (1989), Richard (2000), twin brother Frank (2006) and sisters-in-law Frances (Joe) and Adele (Frank). He is survived and mourned by his children Pat and husband Denis Fox of Fairbanks Alaska; Brian and Kathy Vitt of Winnipeg; Chris and Debbie Vitt of St. Andrews; Debby and Perry Melnychenko of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren Leslie Vitt, Jon Vitt and wife Shanda and great grandsons Joshua, Benjamin and Zachary; Nikki Curtis and husband Randy and great grandson Connor; Meagan Janssen and husband Eric; Breanne Vitt; Rayna Vitt; Justin Vitt; Kaitlin Vitt; Andrea Melnychenko; Graham Melnychenko; sister-in-law Iris (Louis) of Selkirk and Julie Hannah (nee Ryfa) of Oakville, Ontario and many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Rev. Msgr. Louis J. McCloskey, will be celebrated on Friday, October 2nd at 10:30am at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 250 Burrin Avenue. Interment to follow in St. Anne's Catholic Cemetery in Petersfield, MB. Pallbearers will be John's six grandchildren (in Winnipeg) with his four out of town grandchildren acting as Honorary Pallbearers. The family would like to thank the staff at the Golden Door Geriatric Centre for their compassionate care of our father and grandfather. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to the Manitoba Chapter of the Heart & Stoke Foundation or to a local charity of your choice.