Obituary of Arthur J. Vitarius

Arthur Joseph Vitarius, aged 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Watchung, NJ on Friday, August 9, 2024. He was born on December 5, 1932, in Linden, New Jersey to the late Joseph Vitarius and Marie (Orosz) Vitarius. Arthur spent his early years in Linden where he lived with his parents, sister Corinne, and his grandmother, Julia. He attended Linden High School (class of 1950), an earnest student, keen amateur photographer, and captain of the football team. His father Joe, a Hungarian immigrant, ran a small auto body repair shop business that began in his home garage, eventually expanding to become the Woodlawn Auto Body Shop on Woodlawn Ave. From the young age of 13, Arthur worked by his father’s side after school and summers in the shop as a self-described “utility man”, working in “all phases and departments of automotive repair work”, according to his post-college resume. From this experience, Arthur began his decades-long career as a successful New Jersey business leader.

After high school Arthur attended Rutgers University (class of 1954), majoring in business administration. Like many children of immigrants, Arthur was ambitious and career-oriented. At Rutgers, he was president of many business-oriented clubs, including the Management Club, the Finance Club, and the Marketing Club. He held many leadership roles as a member of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional and business fraternity.

While at college, Arthur met and began dating Barbara Joyce Shallcross of Kenilworth, New Jersey. Barbara’s father owned Shallcross Express, a small independent trucking company. On their first date, Arthur arrived to pick up Barbara at her father’s truck depot. Before heading out, Barbara’s dad asked her to back one of the 18-wheelers into the truck bay for maintenance. For Arthur, it was love at first sight.

Upon graduation in 1954, Arthur began working for Johnson and Johnson, in New Brunswick, NJ. His first assignment for the company was as a Manufacturing Staff Trainee at the fantastic salary of $335.00 per month. Thus began his 40+ year career working at J&J, characterized by many significant promotions. His positions within the company included Director of Manufacturing (1970); Vice President of Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales, and Distribution (1972); Vice President and General Manager for Patient Care Division (1982); all the way up to Division President (retired 1994). His only interruption in employment at J&J was a 2-year period in which he served as a Private FC in the United States Army. He was assigned to the Third Armor Calvary Division based in Bayreuth, Germany (1956-1958). 

Arthur and Barbara were married in Germany on June 8, 1957, in the Bindlach Chapel on post. Upon returning to the US, Arthur and Barbara rented a small apartment in Matawan, NJ, eventually buying their first home in East Brunswick, where they raised their children Jennifer, Jonathan, and James. While living in East Brunswick and working shift work as a plant manager, Arthur completed his Master's of Science degree in industrial engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ (class of 1961). He moved his family to Watchung in 1973.

Arthur was a devoted father and grandfather. He instilled in his family his love of travel, culture, and the arts, taking his kids and grandkids to the NYC ballet, Broadway, museums, and on many enriching vacation experiences.  When each grandchild turned ten years old, Arthur and Barbara took each child to Europe. They let them choose 2 countries to visit, however, insisting that they also visit the site of the Normandy Invasion, so they could understand the sacrifices the soldiers made at the Battle of Normandy. He was a devoted fan of the New York Giants, and the Brooklyn Dodgers, then the Yankees. When the kids were wrapped up in the 1969 “Miracle Mets” he lectured them on the importance of team loyalty, insisting that they “pick a team and stick with it”, whether the team is experiencing a miracle or stinks. He and Barbara traveled the world, visiting over 80 countries. Their home is filled with artwork and mementos of their travels. He loved to take the grandchildren fishing, a tradition he no doubt got from his father.

Arthur was immensely proud of his Hungarian heritage and passed on his mother’s love of cooking to his family. He spent many a Sunday afternoon after church with Barbara, preparing stuffed cabbage and chicken paprikash to share with the kids. Arthur loved animals, especially dogs. With Barbara, Arthur raised championship German Shorthaired Pointers, participating in dog shows throughout the country. His dog Mel, a Grand Champion, was his pride and joy.

Arthur was civic-minded and philanthropic. He served on many local boards, including the Board of Directors of the Deauville Beach and Bay Association, the United Way of New Jersey, the New Jersey Safety Council, the Watchung Hills Adult School Advisory Board, and the Civic League of New Brunswick, NJ, just to name a few.  Upon his retirement, Arthur started the Arthur and Barbara Vitarius Family Foundation, prioritizing small local non-profits and charities, as well as Rutgers and Stevens. His favorite non-profit, The Raptor Trust in Millington, New Jersey is a rehabilitation center for injured raptors, reflecting his love for birds and nature.  

Arthur is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara (Shallcross) Vitarius, his children Jennifer, Jonathan, and James, 5 grandchildren; Nicholas and Christopher Banko; Jeffrey Vitarius and Jillian Byron; and Sophia Vitarius; and 2 great-grandchildren; Callahan Vitarius and Bryce Byron. 

A graveside service for Arthur will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, 95 Mount Airy Road in Basking Ridge, NJ, with the repast to follow at his home at 55 Sherwood Drive, Watchung, NJ. All are welcome to celebrate Arthur’s life.

If you would like to honor Arthur with a donation, please consider giving to The Raptor Trust, Millington, NJ. https://theraptortrust.org/tribute-gifts