THIS SERVICE IS BEING LIVESTREAMED VIA ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH:
saintraphael.org/funeral-live

Streaming will begin at 10:00 am

After a life of raising and providing for four children, six grandchildren, a beautiful wife, and working in his community, he has been given back to the mercy of the heavens from whence he came.

Edward Peter Vitek, 87, of Raleigh, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife and children surrounding him after a lengthy battle with cancer that he tenaciously fought until the end.

Born on August 14, 1936, in Poughkeepsie, New York to Edward Joseph Vitek and Josephine Mulligan Vitek, he led a life that was full in so many ways. He graduated from Wappingers Central High School in 1953 and then was extended an offer to join IBM. Because he was still sixteen at the time, he had to wait until he turned seventeen that summer to begin his journey of 34 years as a dedicated employee. His first job was working in the mail room, but because of his constant pursuit of knowledge, he took advantage of all that IBM could offer him to further his career in Data Security. He was chosen one out of six people in the county to work in their cyber security division which eventually led to his promotion in 1967 to move his family to Raleigh, North Carolina. He retired in 1987 at the ripe age of 51. While employed at IBM, Edward served in the United States Naval Reserve for 10 years until his honorable discharge in 1963.

October 7, 1956, Edward married Barbara Joan Hasbrouck. They raised their four children in Poughkeepsie, NY before moving to Raleigh. Edward enjoyed playing tennis through the years and participated in many tournaments at Northbrook Country Club. Great memories were made at the club with friends and family, and he reveled in the Sunday dinners cooking out. In the early 1970’s, Barbara and he enjoyed their homes in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina as a vacation home and then as their permanent residence. Their children, many relatives and friends visited them over the years and wonderful memories were made. This was a place where he relaxed and taught his children and grandchildren to fish and just enjoy all that the beach offered. Barbara and he moved back from the beach in 1998 to be closer to their six grandchildren. Edward loved his grandchildren dearly and Barbara and he cherished the time spent with them all.

After retirement from IBM, Edward worked consulting for IBM, selling real estate for Howard Perry and Walston, and worked for H&R Block as a tax advisor while waiting for his wife to retire three years later. He gave back to the community in many ways by volunteering at the church as an usher, provided tax counseling to parishioners, and worked for the IBM Benefits Center to assist employees in annual enrollment.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, and his sister, Judith Frame, he is survived by his sons Mark Vitek (Ellen) and Greg Vitek (Elaine); and daughters Joanne Vitek Reeves and Karen Vitek Scarbrough (Keith); and grandchildren Lauren Vitek, Anna Louise Vitek Davis (Ian), Jonathan Vitek (Stephen), Michael Vitek, Elizabeth Williams and Caroline Morris. He was preceded in death by his sister Rosemarie Vitek Sorrentino.

We would like to thank the staff of Transitions Lifecare and our daily caretakers for their outstanding support and service to our father and family.

A funeral mass service will be held at 10:00am, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609 and a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church or Transitions Lifecare.