Craig James Vittitoe: September 24, 1950 – March 8, 2025

Craig James Vittitoe was born on September 24, 1950, at Camp Pendleton, California, to Janet Louise (Kensinger) Vittitoe and James Albert Vittitoe. As the eldest of three, he was a loving big brother to Gail (Vittitoe) Romero and Todd Vittitoe. On March 8, 2025, Craig went to be with the Lord, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that lives on in his beloved wife of 52 years, Suzanne (Grillo) Vittitoe, and their four children — Danika, Ashley, Kyle, and Chase. He was the proud and devoted “Poppa” to his eight grandchildren: Samuel, Elle, Lachlan, Renata, Severine, Mason, Javier, and Logan. Craig’s family also includes his son-in-law, Ted, his daughter-in-law, Shelly, his brother, Todd, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of lifelong friends who became like family.

Craig’s life began with a story of resilience. His mother, Janet, a practical and determined woman, found herself alone in a new state while her husband, James, was deployed during the Korean War. Undaunted, she hailed a taxi and went to the hospital to give birth. This spirit of determination was ingrained in Craig from the very start. As a child, his radiant personality earned him the nickname “Sunny,” a reflection of the warmth, energy, and positivity he brought to those around him. Being the son of a Marine meant a childhood marked by frequent moves, but Craig embraced the adventure, forming connections wherever life took him. It was during his high school years, after his family settled in Carlsbad, California, that Craig began to cultivate the deep and lasting relationships that would endure for the rest of his life.

Craig’s competitive spirit was evident early on, and football became his passion. His athletic prowess led him to junior college, where he was affectionately known as “Golden Boy.” He was later recruited by the University of the Pacific (UOP) in 1971, where he played running back and earned a degree in business. It was at UOP that he met the love of his life, Suzanne. When they married in 1973, they had just $700 to their name, but were convinced that together, they could conquer the world. And with his perseverance and tenacity, they did. Together they built a beautiful life — one rooted in hard work, love, and community.

Shortly after the birth of their first child, Danika, in 1975, the family moved to Long Beach, where they planted roots. While Craig had thrived in the nomadic upbringing of a military brat, he was determined to provide stability and a sense of home for his growing family. In Long Beach, Craig and Suzanne built a full life, meaningful friendships, and cherished family traditions.

Craig’s natural ability to connect with people, combined with his fierce work ethic and integrity, propelled him into a highly successful career in sales and sales management. For Craig, work was another sport he played to win. His colleagues and customers often grew into lifelong friendships. A natural mentor, Craig took a heartfelt interest in the growth and success of younger professionals, offering guidance and encouragement not only in their careers but also in their personal lives. His investment in others was never transactional; it was rooted in a genuine love, a sincere desire to see those around him flourish.

Craig approached life with a “work hard, play hard” philosophy, and in 1980, he made one of the best decisions of his life by purchasing property on a man-made tournament lake — a choice his family initially thought was a little crazy. But as it turned out, “the lake” became more than just a place to play sports all day — it was where Craig’s love for meaningful conversation and community connection came to life. When his children were young, he started a cherished tradition of awarding a trophy to first-time water skiers who successfully skied the length of the lake. Over the years, Craig taught nearly 100 new skiers, sharing not only his love for the sport but also inspiring a sense of accomplishment in each of them. Whether water skiing, playing tennis, mastering pickleball, or engaging in heartfelt conversations, Craig filled his life with the things he loved and made connections with people far and wide.

Craig’s Christian faith was a cornerstone of his life. Though his love for the Lord began early, it deepened as he matured. Never one to do anything halfway, Craig immersed himself in the study of God’s word, building an extensive library of religious texts to explore and strengthen his understanding. He lived out his faith with curiosity, generosity, and kindness.

In June 2021, Craig was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. True to his nature, he met this challenge head-on with incredible fortitude. Over the next four years, Craig endured 67 rounds of chemotherapy, 21 rounds of radiation, and a six-month clinical trial in Texas. Throughout great suffering and pain, the loss of his physical strength, use of his right arm, and ability to eat the delicious foods he loved he had an attitude of gratefulness. He was always more concerned with others than himself, never complained, and spent his energy on tasks to improve the lives of those he loved.

Craig’s life was a beautiful reflection of his values — faith, integrity, hard work, a good attitude, generosity towards others, human connection, and an unyielding passion for life. His legacy is not only in the accomplishments he achieved but in the countless lives he touched with his kindness, wisdom, and infectious energy. While he will be deeply missed, his light will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Craig’s funeral will be on Friday, March 28 at 1:00 at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach, UCC at 241 Cedar Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90812 followed by a reception at Virginia Country Club 4602 North Virginia Road, Long Beach CA. 90807. 

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