Rino Vitali

Rino Vitali, a well-known resident of Old Lyme, CT peacefully passed away at the age of 88 on the morning of Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Rino, the sixth of eight children, was born on April 8,1936 to Achille and Rosina Vitari Vitali. He spent his childhood in the town of Guilford, CT. graduating from Guilford High School in 1954 where he excelled in sports and music. After high school, Rino joined the Air Force and was stationed at both Keeser and Langly Air Force bases where he was honorably discharged in 1958.

Following the Air Force, Rino enrolled at UConn, where he earned both an Undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Geological Engineering. It was in college that Rino met the love of his life, Judith Ann Chick of Stonington, CT, to whom he was married for almost 60 years raising three sons: Sean, Kevin, and Keith. Rino and Judith settled in Old Lyme where they built their dream house overlooking the picturesque Black Hall River. In their later years, they wintered in Saint Augustine, FL.

Rino’s employment included working at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, and as an employee of the state government for the Department of Transportation where he advanced to become the Head of the Department of Pavement. After retirement, he continued to work as a consultant for FEMA, providing his expertise at various disaster areas around the country.

Throughout the Old Lyme community, Rino was especially known for his work with children. He was a Little League Coach and umpire for over twenty years, winning several town championships, calling strikes with dramatic flair, and sending many a disruptive parent to their car. In addition, Rino was the Scoutmaster for Troop 26 for over a decade, growing the program from a handful of boys to several dozen at its peak. Rino was also fond of singing. He was a member of Saint Ann’s Episcopal Choir for almost 50 years, and spent many seasons singing with various local choral groups: the Eastern CT Symphony Chorus, Capella Cantorum, and Con Brio.

Outdoor activities and nature were an important part of Rino’s life. He was extremely fond of birding, gardening, hiking, hunting, and fishing; there was not a bird, tree, or rock that he could not identify. An avid sportsman, Rino loved to run, golf, and bowl. He was often seen jogging/walking around town and was still able to complete a full walking marathon at the age of eighty. He was a continuous member of Black Hall Country Club since 1978, golfing three times a week in the warmer months. In the winter, Rino bowled and still could bowl over 200 with a sixteen-pound ball at 85 years old! Rino was a big Yankees and NY Giants fan, and loved watching his UConn Huskies basketball teams. He also was a supportive grandfather, consistently attending his grandchildren’s baseball, basketball and soccer games.

Rino is survived by his three sons, Sean, Kevin, and Keith, two daughters-in-law Denise Mock and Alexis Lury Vitali, longtime companion of Kevin Vitali, Lindsay Malloy, four grandchildren, Ethan, Luke, Rowan, and Shane, sister Sofy, two sisters-in-law, Janice Modon and Margaret Hotchkiss, and countless nieces and nephews, including Elizabeth Comstock.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at Saint Ann’s memorial garden on Saturday, April 5th at 2PM at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Boy Scout Troop 26 of Old Lyme, The Lyme/Old Lyme Little League, or Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church music program.