Robert Vitron

Robert Daniel Vitron, age 67, of Millcreek Township, died Monday, August 21, 2017. Rob was born in Erie on October 28, 1949, the son of the late Joseph and Cecelia (Mahoney) Vitron.

He graduated from McDowell High School in 1969 and joined the Pennsylvania State National Guard. He then attended and graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. His law enforcement career began in 1969. He retired in 1999 from the Presque Isle state Park Police department as a Sergeant after 30 years of service.

His service to others spanned over forty five years with the West Lake Fire Department after holding every elected position by the membership body including Fire Department Chief.  His passion for being a volunteer fire fighter came from his father who also served at West Lake.

Rob was instrumental in helping to form and organize Millcreek Paramedic Service. He worked on the ambulance as an Emergency Medical Technician from its beginning and also served on the MPS board at its inception.  He shared his knowledge of emergency services as a CPR instructor with the American Red Cross.

Rob’s desire to help others did not end with his retirement from the State Police at Presque Isle, he worked a Millcreek Township Fire Inspector for seven years. Rob also was certified a private Investigator in Pennsylvania. He received authorization to be an assistant to the Erie County Coroner’s Office and most recently was certified to administer NARCAN when he found great need for that as drug addiction has plagued our community.

Rob enjoyed watching sports. He was an avid Steelers and Pirate’s fan. He had a love for boating on Chautauqua Lake and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, the American Legion Post 0773, the Sportsman’s Athletic Club and the Elk’s Club Lodge #67. Rob was a member of St. Patrick’s Church.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William Joseph Vitron, Sr., and his wife’s parents, Robert and Marjorie Wenstran. Rob is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 37 years, Roberta A. (Wenstran) Vitron.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by an aunt, Elizabeth Chandley, his sister-in-law, Mary Vitron, his Goddaughter and niece, Michelle Magee (Bryan), Goddaughter and niece, Kristie Karpinski (Nick), nephews William Vitron, Jr., (Lyndsey), all of Erie and Michael Vitron and his fiancé, Taylor Phillips from Rochester. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Arvanitopulos (Gary), and nephews, Theo, Dimitri and Alexi Arvanitopulos all of Erie, as well as many great nieces, great nephews, many cousins and many wonderful friends whom Rob considered part of his family.

Rob had a passion for wanting to help others and wanting to give back to the community. His life and legacy may be honored and memorialized in the following ways: St. Patrick Church, and the Sr. Mary Pascal Food Pantry, at 130 East 4^th Street, Erie, PA 16507, West Lake Fire Department, 3762 West Lake Road, Erie, PA 16505 Millcreek Paramedic Service, 3608 West 26th St, Erie, PA 16506. Rob had a great love for animals especially his dogs. Additional memorials may be made to the ANNA Shelter, 1555 East 10^th Street, Erie, PA 16511 or to the Humane Society of NWPA, PO Box 3930, Erie, PA 16508.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26^th Street, (at Powell Avenue,) on Thursday, August 24^th, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service there on Friday, August 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Henry Kriegel officiating. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Rob, you were a good and faithful servant. You had life well lived for your wife, your family and the larger community in which you lived.

Rob had a deep love for all his nieces and nephews as he cared for them as his own. In the words of your Uncle Rob dear ones, “Bye, bye for now”.