William Arthur Fio Rito

William Arthur Fio Rito was born on March 31, 1929, in Buffalo, NY, to Ruth A. Kennedy and William M. Fio Rito. He passed away peacefully at home, in his sleep, in the company of his loving wife, Gayle, on the morning of April 3, 2026.

Bill attended Bennett High School in Buffalo before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1949 as a member of the Class of 1953. Upon graduation and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he entered the United States Air Force and began training as a pilot.

He married Dolores J. Metzger on June 6, 1953. Their first child, Kathleen Ruth, was born in 1954 while Bill was in flight school in Greenville, MS. Upon completion of flight training, he was assigned to the 22nd Fighter Squadron (“Big 22”) in Bitburg, Germany, where he flew the F-100 Super Sabre fighter jet alongside future astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Ed White. During this time, he served as squadron adjutant, fighter pilot, and flight commander. Bill and Dolores welcomed their second and third children, William Michael and Robert James, while stationed in Germany.

Bill left active duty service in 1958 and moved his family to California, where he entered the fitness industry with Vic Tanny, helping build one of the earliest nationwide gym chains, later associated with Bally Total Fitness. During their time in California, Bill and Dolores welcomed their fourth child, Deborah Ann.

In 1960, the family moved to Irvington, NY, where Bill founded Military Purchase System, Inc. (MPS), a company that provided consumer services for professional military personnel, including banking, insurance, and freight forwarding. Their fifth and final child—some say the golden child—John David, was born in 1972. Bill remained a resident of Irvington for the next 25 years. Although unsuccessful in his run for mayor, he remained deeply involved in the community. He was a dedicated leader in civic activities, including Boy Scout Troops 34 and 55, where he shared his experience and mentored generations of young men. During these years, he also built multiple businesses, raised five children, and became grandfather to what would become a significant cohort of 12 grandchildren, to whom he was a legend.

Dolores passed away in June 2010. Bill later moved to Manhattan, where he worked as a project engineer for the City of New York. He became a regular at his favorite establishment, Tout Va Bien, where he enjoyed his signature Beefeater gin martini—up, with three olives—and a plate of frogs’ legs.

In the summer of 2011, Bill remarried Gayle A. Metz and moved to Hawthorne, NY. Never one to remain idle, he personally supervised ongoing renovations and improvements to their home. He enjoyed sharing his stories with patrons at the local saloon and took pride in his role as house husband, tending the garden and preparing meals while awaiting Gayle’s return from work.

Bill was a brilliant serial entrepreneur, often ahead of his time in his ventures. He was a gregarious and charming companion who never missed an opportunity to share a story—one that, by his own admission, required only 10% truth to be considered accurate. He was truly a force of nature, larger than life, and he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Gayle; his five children: Kathleen; William and his wife Rebekah; Robert; Deborah and her husband Peter; and John and his wife Kim; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his sister, Geraldine Hinkley.

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue - Thornwood, New York 10594 on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 10:00 - 12:30 PM for visitation.  William will be laid to rest at West Point Cemetery 329 Washington Road - West Point, New York 10996 with full military honors. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donation in Bill’s memory to the “West Point Character Initiatives Fund” found by selecting “Campaign Funds” in the following link :

https://alumni.westpointaog.org/giveonline?_gl=1*dkexmr*_ga*ODQ2MjE0MjQ1LjE3NzU1Mjg5ODc.*_ga_GHFY26C9GP*czE3NzU1NTg1MTckbzIkZzAkdDE3NzU1NTg1MzIkajQ1JGwwJGg0OTk4MjQyODE.&_ga=2.172355429.716696571.1775528987-846214245.1775528987

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