Vito Safina

Parnell-Vito Safina was born April 30, 1950, in Trapani, Sicily, the son of Anthony and Elizabeth (D’Angelo) Safina. When Vito was 8 years old his family came to the United States. He graduated from William E. Grady Vocational High School in New York. He then joined the United States Navy serving from June of 1969 until 1989. While Vito was in the Navy, he met Margaret Johnson; they were united in marriage on December 28, 1972, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Parnell. After their marriage they moved around quite a bit due to the Navy. After the service Vito worked as a mechanic, then worked at Kinze Manufacturing for 20 years and VA Medical Center in Iowa City for 27 years on Sundays in maintenance. He enjoyed gardening, working in his yard, dancing, giving mower rides, fishing and playing with his grandchildren. Vito died Friday, September 5, 2025, at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo at the age of 75 years.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Parnell; four children, Tony Safina of Parnell, Michael (Kara) Safina of Elk Grove, IL, David (Andrea) Safina of Huxley, and Mary Ann (Todd) Wehner of Williamsburg; 12 grandchildren, Trevor, Lorelai, Laylah, Layahna, Lola, Jackson, Bradley, Marshall, Brynlee, Meridith, Garrus and Collette; three siblings, Vita (Nuccio) Incandela and Nick (Fran) Safina all of Long Island, NY and Anna (Bill) Delsorbo of Jersey. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Joseph Safina.

Funeral mass will be 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in North English. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Parnell. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. There will be a rosary at 3:45 pm on Monday. A general memorial has been established. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.