A graduate of Watertown High School in Watertown, New York, Gary Vittorio earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 1959 at the State University of New York in Cortland. A graduate assistant at Penn State University while earning his master's degree, Vittorio soon found a home in New Jersey.

Vittorio began the varsity wrestling team at Parsippany High School in 1960 and survived an 0-12-1 season to develop one of the most successful programs in the state. When he retired as an active coach in 1985, his teams had complied a 201-104-5 record and he was 14th in career wins since 1933.

Never missing a dual meet or tournament during his career, Vittorio led his teams to conference or co-conference championships eight times while winning four district titles, and nine Parsippany Holiday Tournament championships. His 1977 team was ranked seventh in the state.

Vittorio coached 55 Parsippany Wrestling Tournament champions, 48 district champions and 48 runners-up, nine regional winners and 10 runners-up. He had seven state place-winners led by state champions Roy Baker in 1970 at heavyweight and Mike Codella in 1983 at 141 pounds.

He served as team leader and coach of the New Jersey AAU high school team that competed in Communist Poland in 1979. He also was one of the first coaches in the state to take his team to out-of-state competition in Watertown and Rome in New York and Escondido in California.

Vittorio served as president of Region 3, Region 4, and the Morris County Coaches Association. He was one of the founders and a director of the Morris County Wrestling Tournament and started and served as director the last 45 years of the Parsippany Christmas Tournament.

The Parsippany High School Coordinator of Student Activities for 26 years, Vittorio also served as student council advisor for 26 years and senior class advisor for 25 years.

He was enshrined into the Parsippany High School, Morris County Wrestling Coaches, and Region 3 Wrestling Halls of Fame. He also has received recognition from the National Federation of State High School Association, an New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Special Sports Award, and Coach of the Year awards in District 9 and Region 3.

The Junior Chamber of Commerce honored Vittorio as Educator of the Year in the Parsippany School System, and further recognition came from the Rotary with the Paul Harris Award, Man-of-the-Year by UNICO, an Italian-American organization, Certificate of Merit from the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly, a citation from the United States House of Representatives, and an Outstanding Coaching and Teaching resolution from the Township of Parsippany.

Vittorio served as a clinician at the State Coaches Association Clinic and many summer camps. A former head coach in cross country and golf, Vittorio also assisted in football and track.

He served as a timer/scorer in the state wrestling meet and was a track official for 30 years.

Married to high school sweetheart Joan over 50 years, they have four children- Julie, Lynn, Steve, and Jeff - and 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild.