PDAA President Gene Vittone’s Big Heart and Kind Soul Will Be Deeply Missed

PDAA Issues Statement on the Passing of President Gene Vittone

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) issued the following statement upon learning of the death of PDAA President and Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone:

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the untimely passing of our president, Gene Vittone. Gene bravely battled

Hon. Eugene A Vittone

lung cancer during the past year.

Affable and gracious, Gene will be remembered for the tremendous contributions he made for the betterment of his community and profession. His big heart and kind soul will be deeply missed.

Humble and unassuming, Gene worked tirelessly to make Washington County and Pennsylvania safer. He was forward thinking in developing policy initiatives related to elder abuse and to mitigate the horrors of the opioid epidemic. To that end, Gene was a pioneer in utilizing prescription drug drop off boxes and Narcan to save lives. He brought those initiatives to PDAA’s attention, which the association took to heart, prioritized, and helped implement statewide. The lives he helped save are now part of his legacy.

Gene’s commitment to his work and profession was deeply rooted in the principles of justice and fairness. He consistently brought valuable insight and thoughtfulness to the table, along with an earnest respect for the diverse challenges and perspectives of his colleagues from around the state. That leadership and vision was recognized nationally last spring when the National District Attorneys Association appointed him to its board of directors and again this summer when PDAA elected him president. 

Gene leaves behind his wife, Jane Ann, and two children. They are foremost in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope they find some comfort in the love we all share for their father and husband, as well Gene’s deeply held religious beliefs that cared for his soul. To many of us, he was simply the most decent person. We are all better professionally and personally to have known him.

# # #

August 21, 2021

Contact: Greg Rowe, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association growe@pdaa.org or (717) 238-5416.