Vincent Michael Fitzell, of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., passed away peacefully at the age of 87 early Saturday, September 27, 2025, after a long bout with serious illnesses. He was born in 1938 in Washington Heights, New York City, to Patrick and Susan (Casey) Fitzell. His parents came to the United States from Ireland, and he remained proud of his Irish heritage.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Ann, who steadfastly cared for him until the end. He is also survived by his sons, Brian and Sean (Monica), and his dear grandchildren, John, Mary, Joseph and James. He was predeceased by his son, Michael, in 2015.
After high school, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959, including a stint at Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C. (“8th & I”), where he participated in the iconic Friday Evening Parades.
Vincent worked his way up through the newspaper business and was part of its transition from physical typesetting to digital compositing, working primarily for Gannett. A modern-day Horatio Alger story, through his hard work he built a home in Yorktown Heights, put his three children through college and watched their success.
He was an avid reader with an interest in U.S. history, particularly World War II, and had an uncanny recall for details. He was also a sports fan, following the New York Yankees and Rangers, and enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family. With a sharp sense of humor and knowing smile, he was one of a kind and will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
