I'm saddened to hear the news of Vito's passing. The first bike race I saw was the 1971 (I think) Tour of Westbury (criterium) that Vito promoted. I saw that and I was hooked. I went right out and got an A.B.L.A. license. The first races that I rode were the training races that Vito put on at Old Westbury Collage. In those days Vito was primarily a barber but his one chair barber shop was overflowing with bike stuff. Later he moved into a bigger store that was formally a bike shop. If you went by on a week day morning it was more then likely that Vito was giving some old guy a haircut... What a hoot. Vito was super generous. I don't know how many kids got started racing on a bike that he loaned them.
I after Vito sold his shop he worked at Hempstead Cycles where I worked as a full time wheel builder. We would eat lunch together and talk about the old days. Later he went to work at Security Bicycle Accessories (a distributor) and I opened my shop. I still have a little note that he put in one of my orders. The first week that I was open Vito stopped by to wish me well. He brought me a good luck piece to hang on the wall. It is a huge brass chainwheel from a stayer's bike that was given to him by Alf Letourner. I've mentioned this chainring on the list before. It is a very special keepsake.
I hadn't spoken to Vito in a few years. I feel like a shit for not saying in touch. My loss... He was a good guy.
Jamie Swan - Northport, New York