DIULUS

VITE

Known affectionately as "Sonny" and "Vito" to his friends and relatives, he passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 6, 2026.

Sonny was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Geraldine (Shipley). Together, Sonny and Gerrie built a loving family and a life full of shared stories, laughter, and devotion. They also endured the heartbreaking loss of three infant children, Elizabeth, Paul, and Roger, for whom Sonny often prayed and about whom he spoke with great tenderness throughout his life.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan Buechele (Charles); and his son, Gregory Diulus (Pamela). Sonny was a proud grandfather to four granddaughters, Jenna Rupert (Bill), Audra Beatty (Alex), Abigail Diulus, and Hannah Jaworski (Trevor); and a delighted great-grandfather to eight great-grandchildren, who brought him much joy in his later years.

Sonny was preceded in death by his sisters, Cecelia Dugan (John), Mary Rapp (Kenneth), and Rita Sukel (Eugene), with whom he shared deep family bonds and lifelong memories.

A quintessential product of Panther Hollow, Sonny was raised in the shadow of the Cathedral of Learning and carried his Oakland roots with pride. He loved his Pitt Panthers sports teams and enjoyed telling stories about attending games the Panther Hollow way, where, as he liked to say, "you don't pay for tickets to Pitt games." He took great pride in his career as a stationary engineer, spending most of his working years in charge of the Frick Fine Arts Building and the Graduate School of Public Health, where his reliability and work ethic were well known.

Sonny was a devoted Pittsburgh sports fan, following the Pirates and Steelers faithfully. He couldn't stand hockey or the NBA and never hesitated to say so with his characteristic candor and humor.

One of Sonny's greatest joys was coaching Little League baseball. As a teenager, and later as a father, he poured his heart into the game and the kids he coached. He and his good friend Frank Emmanuel proudly managed the Elachko Funeral Home team to the championship of the Oakland Little League, a memory he treasured.

In retirement, Sonny and Gerrie spent several happy years in Florida, where he became a proficient pickleball player and golfer. Eventually, they returned home to Pittsburgh to be closer to family and to spend time cheering on their grandchildren in all their activities and accomplishments.

In his later years, Sonny made many dear friends at Vanadium Woods, where he lived for the last decade or so. His stories, his humor, and his steady presence will be missed by all who came to know him there.

Memories of Sonny will be cherished by his family and friends, who will remember his deep love for his family, his pride in his roots, and his unmistakable spirit.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the John N. Elachko Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcomed at the JOHN N. ELACHKO FUNERAL HOME, 3447 Dawson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul Cathedral. Entombment immediately following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Please visit Vite's memorial page at ELACHKO.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh) or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.