Vito J. Amendolaro

Vito J. Amendolaro, 95, Dunmore, died Sunday morning at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore. His wife of 58 years, the former Elinor Macaro, died in 2010.

Born in Dunmore he was the son of the late Sylvester and Mamie Telesco Amendolaro. Vito attended Dunmore Schools and as a teenager worked with his uncle and father selling popsicles and orange ices at lakes, baseball games and Rocky Glen Park. He also worked with his father for Gold Medal Bakery delivering baked goods around the Scranton area. His next adventure took him on the road with the Clyde Beatty Circus working on the Pie Cart. After the circus, he moved to New Jersey and became a union heavy machine operator in the construction industry. He eventually returned to his hometown of Dunmore with his family, where he and his wife became the owners of Gold Crown Pizza in 1972, which was established in 1957 by his brother Patsy and his wife Jennie.

Vito was known for frequenting Dunkin Donuts, in Dunmore, with his friends every day. His love for his great grand-pups who would visit him became everyone’s favorite videos to watch on social media. He could be found every Sunday selling at the Circle Drive in Flea Market since its inception. He will be remembered as an entertainer more than anything. Over his 35 years at Gold Crown/Vito’s Bar, you never knew what to expect. He would tend bar in costume, perform magic tricks, tell stories about working in the circus or he might even take a fork out of his pocket, extend it out to 4 ft and take food off an unexpecting friend’s plate. His regulars at the bar became his friends. Vito put a smile on everyone’s face.

His family wishes to thank the staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart for the love and compassion provided to both Vito and them while he was in their care. Surviving is a daughter Donna Mathewson, Scranton, two sons, Bruce Amendolaro and his companion Christine Buckery, Scranton, and Paul Amendolaro, Roaring Brook Twp., grandchildren, Justin Amendolaro and his wife Sara, Sara Shoener, Chris Mathewson, and “Papa’s Best Friend” Jill Mathewson and her wife Jessica, two great grandchildren, Ryan and Ele Amendolaro, as well as several nieces and nephews. The last of his siblings, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Kay Woehrle and Grace Bartos and three brothers, Pat, Jim, and King Joe Amendolaro. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:30AM in the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc. 318 East Drinker Street in Dunmore. Friends may call from 9AM until the time of service. Entombment to follow in the Cathedral Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to True Friends Animal Welfare 16332 PA 706 Montrose PA 18801. To offer an online condolence, visit www.DunmoreFuneralHome.com

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