Vito was born in Detroit, Michigan. He owned bars and a bowling alley amongst other legitimate business holdings over the years. He was a close associate of Salvatore Lucido, Peter Vitale and his brother Anthony. His rap sheet included traffic warrants, loitering, concealed weapons charges and gambling. Vito was a gambling controller for the Detroit Mafia in the area known as the Greek section, succeeding Pete Corrado as the Detroit mob's representative in this area.