Joseph R. Vital, 88, of Dartmouth died January 5, 2010 at Hathaway Manor Extended Care Facility after a long illness.
He was the husband of Ruth J. (Soares) Vital with whom he would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on January 26th.
Born and raised in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph R. and Mary R. (Ramalha) Vital, he lived in Dartmouth for the last 30 years.
Mr. Vital was formerly employed by Continental Screw for 20 years before retiring as a bus driver with the New Bedford School Department after 20 years.
He served in the U.S. Army with the 86th Mountain Division during World War II participating in the battles of North Apennines and Po Valley. He was the recipient of the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with 2 service stars and a Bronze Star Medal.
He loved his family.
Survivors include his wife; 2 daughters, Karen Winfield and her husband David of West Wareham and Susan Dansereau and her husband Douglas of Uxbridge, MA.
His private funeral arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford.