(Photo by Shelley Hanson) The Marshall County Public Library officials and board members receive a $293,531 check bequeathed to the library by the late Harold Vitalie, a longtime Marshall County educator who died in 2023. From left are treasurer Beth Philips, board member Karen Coffield, Vitalie’s former student Mike Ramsden, library Director Susan Reilly, board member Mike Ferro and board member Jim Stultz.

MOUNDSVILLE – Nearly $1.5 million was bequeathed to four different organizations during a memorial luncheon honoring the late Harold Vitalie, a former Marshall County educator who died in 2023.

The event was held Monday at Perkins Restaurant in Moundsville, hosted by the executor of Vitalie’s estate, Robin Capehart, who was also a student of Vitalie’s in the early 1970s.

Valley Hospice, the Ohio County Public Library and Marshall County Public Library each received $293,531. The John Marshall High School Scholarship Fund received $587,063. The school is anticipated to establish the Vitalie Family Scholarship with the funds.

“Mr. Vitalie’s passion for education and deep-rooted commitment to his community have left an unforgettable mark on all of us,” Capehart said. “His belief in the power of knowledge and his dedication to nurturing it in others was not just his occupation, but his life’s mission. Today, we gather not only to remember him but to ensure that his legacy continues to inspire and make a difference in our community.”

Jennifer Taylor of Valley Hospice described the gift of money as “transformational” for Valley Hospice. Vitalie’s mother was taken care of by Valley Hospice before she died.

“It will support our mission in unmeasurable ways,” she said. “Mr. Vitalie’s passion for education has transformed countless lives at John Marshall.”

Taylor said the money will support Valley Hospice’s education efforts and their two education centers would now be named after him.

“This memorial will continue his legacy as a lifelong teacher and a testament of his love for his mother,” she said.

Jim Stultz, a Marshall County Public Library board member, said he was also a student of Vitalie’s early in his career back in 1962 at Moundsville High School. They later became friends and would have lunch every few months. Vitalie loved to visit the library and would studiously take notes in small notebooks during presentations, he noted.

“He was an extraordinary guy. … He was a great guy,” Stultz said.

Capehart said while taking his social studies class, Vitalie never revealed his political leanings.

“You know what he did do? He taught us how to think and how to make up our own minds. … Some of us better than others,” Capehart said.

Vitalie was born in Indiana in 1937. He moved to Wheeling in 1948 and lived there until he died at the age of 85. He was a graduate of West Liberty State College and held a master’s degree in American history from West Virginia University. After retiring from teaching in 1989, he continued to serve as a substitute teacher for Marshall County Schools. A few people noted how he frequently enjoyed eating pie and ice cream at the Centre Market shops in Wheeling.