Leovigildo (Leo) Paz Vito was born the 3rd of 9 children to Remedios Paz Vito and Cesario Lima Vito in  Iloilo City, Philippines,  and passed away at home in Houston, Texas on March 11, 2026.

Leo earned First Honors in Practical Electricity and later a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from Southern Negros College. He worked full time in a law office while attending night classes, making many sacrifices for his education. After moving from Iloilo to Bacolod City, he spent over 10 years working at Bacolod City Bank.

While working at the bank in Bacolod City, he met his wife, Madeline Gatuslao Tio, who just happened to be his neighbor. What started as neighborly friendship turned to love thanks to his quiet, kind and thoughtful demeanor.

After marrying Madeline in 1973, they had their first daughter, Leslie, in 1974. Madeline's nursing career took their family of three to Chicago, Illinois. There, he worked as a residential contractor as an electrician. In 1979, their second daughter, Lea, was born. In 1981, the Vitos left the Windy City for Houston, Texas.

He worked at MD Anderson from 1982 to 2004, finally retiring as the Shift Operations Superintendent after 21 years of dedicated service. During his time there, he helped recruit 19 employees, served as an active mentor, and was given the nickname by his colleagues as, "The Filipino Godfather". Along the way, he raised a family, welcomed his grandchildren, and found time to enjoy social gatherings with the Houston NW Filipino American Community and the West Houston Visayas Circle.

In his retirement years, Leo faced a diagnosis of prostate cancer with strength and resilience. He continued to find joy in life—traveling to the Philippines, Mexico, and Delaware, and making frequent trips to Dallas to spend time with his grandchildren.

He never lost his spark, still loving to dance, tinker around the house as everyone's go-to "Mr. Fix-It," and play his Facebook reels at full volume. Above all, he cherished every moment with his beloved family and his loyal granddog, Millie.

Leo is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Madeline Tio Vito, daughters, Leslie Vito Pham (husband, Thang Pham) and Lea Vito Horton (husband, Frank Horton, IV) and grandchildren, Brianna Pham, Brandon Pham, Braddox Pham, Francesca Horton, and Frank Horton, V; siblings, Zenaida Vito Fajardo, Giovanni Paz Vito, Lirio Paz Vito, and over 50 nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Cesario Lima Vito and Mrs. Remedios Paz Vito, and siblings, Herminigildo Vito, Azucena Vito Kapunan, Wilfredo Vito, Francis Vito, and Dulcelina Vito Gecosala.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Leo Vito to MD Anderson Cancer Center: https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/campaign/Leovito

A Funeral Mass for Leo Paz Vito will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, located at 11507 Huffmeister Rd, Houston, TX 77065. Lunch and fellowship to immediately follow in the Parish Hall after mass.