The following is the eulogy given Bob Campopiano – a dear cousin we miss very much.
Leo Viti lived a long and, much more importantly, a rich and fulfilling life. Indeed, he lived what we often refer to as the “American Dream”. He came from humble beginnings and went on to make a success for himself in all of life’s important endeavors. He was successful in his business and in his personal life and with his wife Amelia raised a wonderful family.
I have made a study of our family and its stories and Leo Viti’s story is an inspiring one. He was born in Providence, R.I. into a family whose parents married there after emigrating from the small commune of Marzano-Appio in the Province of Caserta, a region in Southern Italy that once was called Terra Lavoro, the “land of work”. The Viti family was raised in a two-story home on Blaine St. in the North End of Providence. The home was purchased in 1901 by Leo’s mother–a remarkable woman named Maria Domenica De Cesare. Maria then married Carmine Viti, a hard working and dedicated family man, and they raised a large family–three boys and seven girls. The Viti’s were not wealthy and might even be considered somewhat poor by today’s standards but these people, accustomed to a life of hard work and sacrifice, gave their children gifts beyond price. From an early age, Leo learned the traditional values of hard work, honesty, and love of family. He used these gifts and his God given talents to create a bountiful life, which he generously shared with his immediate, and extended family. To achieve such a life he had to travel a difficult path, one to which some of us older family members can only somewhat relate and one, which our younger generations perhaps can’t even imagine.
I love talking to people of generations earlier than mine and Uncle Leo was always happy to share stories and experiences from the old days. I remember him describing life as a young boy at home where from an early age he had tasks to do. For instance, he would go out early, often in cold New England winter days, to the nearby railroad yard to search for coal that was used for heating. From my having lived in that same house without central heating as he did earlier, I know that he and his brothers must have had to find lots of coal! He also helped out in preparing and tending the large family garden and caring for fruit trees and a grape arbor. Anyone who has seen the yard of a man who could raise pineapples and other exotic fruit in Kissimmee would know that he learned his gardening lessons very well! Other family chores involved feeding the hog and chickens that the family raised each year, smoking the meat in upstairs rooms of the house, making home-made sausage, preserving fruit and vegetables, and crushing grapes in the cellar for wine and vinegar. He and the other children while still very young helped their mother do “piece work” at home separating lace for textile mills.
Schooling was a luxury in those days for many children and the Viti children went to work in the mills usually around the ages of twelve or thirteen doing jobs that were difficult, even for adults, and they worked full time. Such an environment might ruin some people but a very tough and strong Leo Viti survived and thrived. He did mill work for over thirty years and gradually progressed until he became a foreman, a huge responsibility, and at that time a position unheard of being attained by a man of Italian descent. He accomplished what he did not by cutting corners or by any dishonorable means but by always doing an honest days work while applying himself to learning to the best of his considerable ability.
His career would have been successful if he had never progressed any further but, relying on just his confidence in himself and his ability to meet challenges, he made decisions to move first to California then on to Ft. Lauderdale where he established a most unique, successful, and highly respected business manufacturing and installing custom made window shutters. To this day, I still marvel when I recall visiting the incredibly ingenious and efficient one-man shop that he operated to build his custom units.
While Leo Viti was a successful craftsman and businessman, I believe that he achieved even more success in his personal life. He was a devoted husband and family man who every day of his married life demonstrated the virtues of decency, faithfulness, and caring. His unwavering care of his wife Amelia during her debilitating illnesses while he was over ninety years old set for us the highest standard of marital love and devotion.
One of my great pleasures is to have been able to make many visits to be with Uncle Leo and his family and one of my few regrets is that circumstances in our lives kept us from seeing and enjoying each other even more. Many times when we did get together, Uncle Leo would say to me “You are a good man” for seeking out and keeping in touch with family. Such a compliment from a man of Uncle Leo’s character means more to me than I can express. I just know that I’ll always treasure those sincere and loving words. Our get-togethers were always interesting and fun. Whether with Uncle Leo alone or with family gatherings large and small, sharing time with him was always special to me.
We all have memories of my uncle that stay with us. For me, two memories stand out. One was four years ago on his ninetieth birthday, a time when many of us were able to gather in his honor and give him the surprise of his life. I remember how surprised and humbly appreciative he was. This kind, generous, and unassuming man who had countless times treated others couldn’t believe that he was the one being given the treat. I’m sure that everyone who attended that wonderful birthday celebration felt that he deserved such recognition and honor much more than did this modest man himself. My other favorite and probably best memory of Uncle Leo is a recent one. Two weeks ago, my wife Lynn and I were invited to a family gathering on the last night of our Kissimmee visit. Uncle Leo and three of his children and their wives were there and we ate, talked, and laughed in the way our family always does when we are enjoying each other’s company. It was great seeing uncle there enjoying the party, even staying up past his usual bedtime, and beaming with pleasure at being surrounded by loving family. That is how I will most remember him.
As I mentioned earlier, I loved to hear uncle’s stories of long ago. I want to share with you something he told me that he remembered from when he was a little boy. At bedtime when prayers were said, he was told that there were six angels watching over him, three at the head of the bed and three at the foot. I know that this story stayed with him throughout his life because he was a man of faith who by his words and deeds expressed his belief in God. Leo Viti’s angels protected him well and we can be comforted to know he is with them still.