Obituary of Johnny Vitalicio

Johnny Vitalicio, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025, surrounded by family at home in Piscataway.

Born in 1936, to the late Julio and Casilda Vitalicio, in Bagamanoc, Cataduanes Philippines, Johnny grew up in the Philippines, becoming a self-taught professional photographer. Throughout his career in the Philippines, he had the opportunity to work for Shell in their advertising department, as well as working as a free-lance photographer taking pictures of celebrities and important events. His free-lance work was published in many magazines over the years.

In 1971, six months after his wife, Thelma, Johnny immigrated to the United States, settling in Jersey City with Thelma, where the two raised their three children. Once in American, Johnny remained in the photography industry, working in photo laboratories in Macy’s and Jamesway in both Brooklyn, NY, and Secaucus, NJ. Before his retirement in 2001, he made his way to Lab Manager. In 1999, the Vitalicios relocated one final time to Piscataway, where Johnny has lived since.

Having a strong relationship with God, Johnny was an active parishioner of St. Aedan’s Church in Jersey City, and often attended mass at St. Frances Cabrini RC Church in Piscataway after moving to the area. He also enjoyed bowling in the Jersey City Filipino Bowling League, gardening, fishing, or visiting the casino. He also made sure to play the Pick 3 and Pick 4 lottery. Johnny also had a passion for food, both cooking and eating and was a New York Yankees fan. Above all else, he cherished time with family, whether it was traveling to St. Martin or Hawaii on family trips, or attending his grandchildren’s sporting and dance events, the moments spent with family were ones Johnny held close to his heart.

Predeceased by his wife, Thelma Biboso Vitalicio, by only 34 days, Johnny is survived by his children, Jon Vitalicio and his wife, Isabel, Margaret Yost and her husband Rick, and Marlon Vitalicio and his wife Marissa; and grandchildren, Raiden, Melanie, Jake, Jason, Joshua, and Jillian. He will also be missed by a host of extended relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held at Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ, on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 4 PM to 8 PM.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Frances Cabrini RC Church, 208 Bound Brook Avenue, Piscataway, NJ, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 10 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home prior to mass, beginning at 8:45 AM.

Entombment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park, 899 E. Lincoln Avenue, Piscataway, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the Vitalicio Family has asked that donation be made to The American Red Cross, in Johnny’s name.