Eugene A. “Gene” Vittone II, 61, of Bentleyville died at Shadyside Hospital on Saturday, August 21, 2021 following a brief illness.

Until the end of his life, Gene worked for the people of Washington County. He wanted to make sure that important issues were resolved and the duties of his office were fulfilled.  He knew that county residents expected it, and his work ethic would not let him ignore those responsibilities, despite his own health issues. 

The only thing more important to him than his elected office and dedicated staff was his love for his family.  Gene married Jane Ann Hibbs on September 24, 1999. Gene was so proud of Jane Ann and her work in the healthcare field and was very supportive of her work with animal rescue.  Together they had two children, Michael and Laura.   As an Eagle Scout, Gene served as an assistant scoutmaster for troop 1419, and was proud Michael followed in his footsteps as an Eagle Scout in 2019.

Gene enjoyed coaching for nearly every Pony Baseball team on which Michael and Laura played for many years.  He shared a love of singing with Laura. They sang in several church choirs and in the Washington Festival Chorale.  They also performed in ‘Tuba Christmas’ each holiday season.

Graduating from Peters Township High School in 1977, Gene ran for the track team and played trumpet in the Fighting Indians Marching Band. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, played in the Pitt Band, and graduated in 1981 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. Following that, he went on to obtain his Master's degrees in Business Administration and in Health Administration, also from the University of Pittsburgh. After completing those advanced degrees, Gene managed Washington Ambulance and Chair Service. While he attended law school, he worked as a paramedic and maintained his certification for the rest of his life. In 1997, Gene earned his law degree with honors from Duquesne University. He was a member of the Law Review and the Manderino Honor Society in Advocacy.

After graduating from law school, Gene became an Assistant District Attorney in Washington County. During that time, he handled juvenile court, several trial lists and felony criminal trials.  Gene also initiated the Drug Treatment Court and oversaw white collar prosecutions within the county.

On January 3, 2012, Gene was sworn in for his first term as District Attorney. His priority was to address the opioid epidemic in the county through an aggressive prosecution of dealers, rehabilitation of those with substance abuse disorders, and the implementation of a countywide Narcan distribution program.  Gene was instrumental in creating an Opioid Task Force that comprised a multi-disciplinary team whose goal was to reduce opioid related deaths.  He was recognized statewide and nationally for his efforts in combating this epidemic.

Gene also worked tirelessly to educate seniors about various forms of elder abuse and was tough on prosecuting those who harmed our most vulnerable residents. Under Gene’s tenure as District Attorney, the office was streamlined and modernized with the latest technology, while saving the taxpayers of Washington County thousands of dollars through his careful fiscal management.

Gene was recently named president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and served on the executive board for the National District Attorneys Association. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Narcotic Officers Association and the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators.  Gene was a Third-Degree Knight of Columbus and was a member of the Sunset Lodge #623 Free and Accepted Masons.  He was also a member of the Italian American Society of Washington County and the Finleyville Italian Gumba Society (FIGS). A Catholic by faith, Gene was a cantor and a member of the choir at Saint Katharine Drexel Church in Bentleyville and at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington.

Gene was the son of Eugene A. Vittone of Peters Twp. and the late Mary Anne Vittone. He is also survived by his sisters, Lisa (Bill) Richard and Cara Vittone; and brother, Lawrence Vittone, his brothers and sisters-in-law and by his nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Gene will be fondly remembered for his positivity, humility, generosity, and kindness towards everyone he met.

Friends will be received on Wednesday-August 25, 2021 from 2 P.M. until 8 P.M. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Supervisor/Director, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Park N. Crosier, Director.  A prayer service will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Thursday-August 26, 2021 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, 119 W. Chestnut St., Washington with the Rev. George Chortos and the Rev. Edward Yuhas as concelebrants.  Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pet Search or to Ambulance and Chair EMS for the creation of a scholarship for EMS training.  Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com