Menswear executive, died Thursday evening, December 26th, at his home in Seattle after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 46.
Palionis was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and later graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990. His early retail career began in Chicago working in store management at the Wm. A. Lewis Clothing Company followed by Banana Republic. In 1992 Palionis joined the home store buying offices at Burdines in Miami, Florida. In 1995 he made the transition to wholesale by moving to New York City for a sales position with Hugo Boss. He spent the next 16 years in various executive roles at Calvin Klein (G.F.T), Donna Karan, Op/Ocean Pacific (Warnaco), and most recently as a Senior VP at G-III Apparel Group.
Vyto was the youngest of three siblings and is survived by his partner, Bruno, brother Edmund, and his beloved Papillion, Lacey.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday morning, December 30th at 10:45 am at Visitation Academy, 8902 Ridge Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11209.
Internment will be at the Holy Trinity Parrish Cemetery on Ceder Street in East Hampton followed by a luncheon at Page Restaurant in Sag Harbor at 63 Main Street.
A bus has been reserved for those who wish to attend the burial and luncheon. The bus will return guests to Visitation Academy at approximately 8:15 pm. (Please RSVP to Bruno.grillo1@gmail.com if you would like to ride the bus so that we may be certain to provide adequate space)
At Vyto’s request donations may be made in lieu of flowers to one of the following causes close to his heart:
The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD (in memory of Vyto Palionis) http:/alscenter.org/donate
Visitation Academy – Early Childhood Playground (memorial gift in honor of Vyto Palionis)
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dba SPCA (in memory of Vyto Palionis)
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Vytas, If you’re listening now, I hope I make more sense. Now, I am not quite so young and not quite as foolish. It was only yesterday that we were young, having the time of our lives. Little did I know that we would have created a fine life together, complimenting one another as soul mates do. Your love shaped my life, our lives. Without you, here, by my side, I realize that there has been no regrets and mistakes. You were chosen to be the half that I now lost, physically. I could never lose the soul you instilled in me.
Your love, loyalty and honor will live on in me forever. I promise to carry on your legacy. I will love you forever! Bruno
What greater thing is there for two human souls
Than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor,
To minister to each other in all sorrow,
To share with each other in all gladness,
To be one with each other in the silent unspoken memories
To Be One With Each Other
George Eliot
8 Responses
Dear bruno.sorry for your loss.you been through 2013 with greats losses.I wish nothing but the best for 2014.just want you to know you and your family are in my prayers..you have your very own angels. Remember that.and remember your are surround by love from all of us.may god bless you and your family. Love krystal . Ps he will be missed.
While we didn’t see you very much, you left a strong feeling by you kindness.
We thought of you often.
RIP dear Vyto
Bruno—–my deepest sympathies to you and your family—my thoughts and prayers are with you —-I loved vyto very much and will always cherish our friendship—-I will miss him forever Frank
Such a hole in my heart. Love , Chick palionis
Bruno, we are so sorry for your loss. Vyto was a great friend and human being. We will always remember him with love. RIP Vyto!!!!
Vyto, you are an example of kindness and generosity. I will continue to admire and look up to you as a person. Be in peace my dear friend.
Dear Bruno, our lives were woven together by a very dear friend, Dr. Anthony Mauceri. I knew Dr. Mauceri for over 30 years but it was only the last five of his life that he became something more to me…a true friend, who understood me like no other. Dr. Mauceri opened up his heart to me and in it came you and Vyto. Vyto, so gentle…so caring a soul that just in his presence you felt “calmness” surround you. Andrew and I were both lucky enough to have Vyto cross our path in life even if it was for only a short time. Vyto and Dr. Anthony Mauceri left us way too early but they gave us all a wonderful gift –they showed us how to smile and most importantly, the true meaning of the word love. Rest in Peace, Vyto.
Dearest Bruno:
Although we’ve lost touch over the many many years, I do recall the foolishness and silliness of when you first met your true love VYTO:). It was several months after we met in San Juan, PR.
It is with a very heavy heart that I send this (peeps from the community that we have in common told me about his passing). My thoughts and deepest prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time. I will reach out to you in person in time.
My late Dad would say, “Remember him as he was (without illness and pain);
All of the GREAT memories and FUN!
Many Blessings,
Wendy Marks/NYC