Mike Richard Vita, 71, Aberdeen resident and former Police Officer with Aberdeen Police Department, died Tuesday morning, January 27, 2015 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA. Mike was born on December 17, 1943 in Minnneapolis, Minn to Clarence and Grace (Melstrom) Vita. At the age of 8 the family moved to Aberdeen and Mike graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1961. He worked for Swanson’s as a box boy and worked his way up to Manager of the Sporting Goods Dept. in the South Aberdeen Store. He then went to work for the Aberdeen Police Dept. on December 28, 1966 and retired on September 1, 1992 after 26 years on the force. He was president of the Aberdeen Police Association from 1984-87 and was the 1st Annual, Aberdeen Elks “Policeman of the Year” award winner in 1986. Mike also worked on the staff of Fern Hill Funeral Home and for the Grays Harbor Housing Authority. On August 1, 1985, Mike married Kathleen A. Harmon at Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. She lives at the family home. Mike was a member of the Aberdeen Elks Lodge #593, Elks Officer of the year 1987-88 and Aberdeen Elks ‘Loyal Knight’ 1990-91. Mike loved spending as much time as he could with his family, grandkids, and friends. He also enjoyed trains, doing crossword puzzles, playing solitaire and working in the yard. Mike is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kathleen Vita of Aberdeen; two daughters: Dawn Currie of Montesano and Deanne and husband Tim King of Cosmopolis; a son: Christopher Vita of Aberdeen; a step-sister, Charlene Dawe of Florida; eight grandchildren: Mike King, Jessica King, Joey King, Kassidy Currie, Katelyn Currie, Mattison Vita, Ayden Vita and Kenadi Vita. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, January 31st at 4 PM at the Aberdeen Elks Lodge. A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.