Vito Charles Trautz

Man with a Big Heart

Vito “The Big V.” “Loopy” “Charlie” Charles Trautz of Eastham, MA, 87, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on January 11, 2016.

If you came into town, and you needed help, especially if it related to cars, you could go to Vito, and he would help you. That’s the kind of guy Vito Trautz was. He was the beloved husband of Suzanne Requa-Trautz and loving brother of Patsy Parker of New Jersey.

Vito was born on July 22, 1928 in Fairview, New Jersey, son of the late Helen (Tedeschi) Trautz and Charles Trautz. Always a hard-worker, Vito startedyoung: at the age of 10 he was selling newspapers, thensetting pins in a bowling alley and later delivering vegetables with his dad. Afterwards, Vito became a semi-professional bowler and worked in the shipyard before enlisting in the army and serving during the Korean War. Vito was first sent overseas to Okinawa and subsequently completed his service at CampWellfleet, which is how he came to Cape Cod. He was an avid Red Sox fan and collector of items, much to the chagrin of his wife. Vito was a Master Mason of the Orleans Lodge for 35 years.

Vito was an entrepreneur, starting the first hot dog wagon in the town of Eastham. Vito was also a skilled mason, and later a custodian, where he was like a pied piper for lost kids. Foremost, he was a family man. He was lucky enough to father and provide for two families.

Vito first wed Edythe O’Della Trautz, who passed away on February 24, 1989. She had one of the first liver transplants in the state of Massachusetts and personally lobbied Ronald Reagan to have the insurance cover the operation. Vito remarried in 1991to Suzanne Requa- Trautz. He is survived by ninechildren: Helen Anderson, Chris Trautz, Raymond Trautz, and Edythe (Dee) Fazio, all of Eastham, CurtissTrautz of Clearwater, Florida, Robert Trautz of Barnard, MO, Bliss Requa-Trautz of Brooklyn, NY, Zachary Trautz of Hyannis, MA, and like-a- son, Russell Fulcher of Wellfleet. There are too many grand children and great-grand children to name (the youngest is about to pop at any moment).

Vito rescued many animals during his life and was comforted in the end by his parrot, Pretty Bird and his dogs, Princess and Pookie, who he loved to spoil by feeding them his dinner. We will miss you, Vito!

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Friday, Jan 16th at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, the 17th at 11am at the Chapel in the Pines, Eastham. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.

