Victor A. Vrabel of Pittsburgh died peacefully in his sleep on December 17, 2024; he was 82. Born and raised in Clairton, PA, Victor's first jobs were at the local theater and filling station. A nun at his high school inspired him to get involved in acting, and his love for movies and plays grew into a lifelong pursuit. After graduating, he left Pittsburgh for New York City, staying with relatives in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, where he landed a job as a production assistant for the popular television show PM East, hosted by Mike Wallace. He returned to Pittsburgh to earn a degree in English literature at Duquesne University. He was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War—spared combat duty owing to his typing skills. Following his military service, Victor spent 43 years as the floor manager for the evening and nightly news at KDKA-TV, and teaching broadcast journalism as an adjunct instructor at Duquesne University. During his time in television, he was a proud union steward for IATSE Local 820. After retiring in 2003, Victor returned to stage acting, was an extra in movies and television, and worked as a doorman at the Manor Theatre in Squirrel Hill, where he reveled in seeing every film and entertaining moviegoers for almost 20 years.

Victor was a dedicated family man, the eldest of 11 children, and proud of his Slovak heritage. Married to Suzanne Beck from Pittsburgh's Sheraden neighborhood, he was the proud father to their son Jason. He was an avid golfer; ran races with his brothers, son, and nephew in many Great Races; and became a novelist. In 2008 he took on his proudest role as Pappap to his granddaughter—creating endless adventures throughout his Chatham Towers building in Downtown Pittsburgh, on the bus and the T, and on the PPS Montessori playground after school. He traveled to throughout the country and Europe, on his own or with his son and family.

Victor is survived by his son Jason (Heather Sage) and granddaughter Peri of Lawrenceville; and siblings Vivian Haney (Centralia, WA), Carole Wicklander (Baldwin), Tess Vrabel (Pittsburgh), Albert Vrabel (Mt. Lebanon), Valerie Vrabel (West Mifflin), Celeste Petruzzi (Pleasant Hills), Claire Minda (Berkeley, CA); and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He is predeceased by his parents, Albert Vrabel and Ann Humenik; wife Suzanne Beck; and brothers Daniel, Paul, and Timothy Vrabel.

A private memorial service is being held at Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Home; an open memorial and celebration of life is being planned for early 2025. As a devoted theater-goer, donations in Victor's honor may be given to Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, or Throughline Theatre Company.