John W. Pitzer, 76, of Ithaca, NY, died peacefully at home June 17th after a lengthy illness.
He was a longtime Ithaca resident having moved to the area in 1960 to accept a position with Ithaca Gun Company as a sales representative. John later became Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the company.
He was an avid outdoorsman and had a deep appreciation for the opportunities to fish along the beautiful streams, rivers and lakes of the region. He loved boating on Cayuga Lake and hunting in the surrounding woodlands. John especially enjoyed the simple pleasures of family life, growing a bountiful vegetable garden, vacationing at summer cottages, coaching little league sports and attending countless athletic events to cheer on his children and grandchildren. In recent years, John was a faithful spectator at Youth Hockey, Soccer and Babe Ruth Baseball games. John was a participant at the Ithaca College Center for Life Skills. He enjoyed working with the staff and students of this remarkable program that is dedicated to stroke rehabilitation. John will be fondly remembered by his family and friends for his warm smile and gentle nature.
John was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Arietta (Jones) and Harland Pitzer. He was a high school athletic star at Zionsville High School and a graduate of Wabash College. On June 1, 1951, John married his high school sweetheart.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty Rose Pitzer, who passed away April 1, 2008; and his beloved grandson, Brent Pitzer. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth and Brad Bilinski, Brian and Mary Ann Pitzer, and J. David and Melanie Pitzer; his grandchildren, Tim and Kevin Bilinski, Scott and Matthew Pitzer, Allison (Josh) Takagishi, Kyle (Heather) Pitzer, Emily Pitzer and Drew Pitzer; his great-granddaughter, Madelyn Lily Takagishi; and his loving caregiver, Alice Hogan. He is also survived by his aunt, Mary Betty Lewis; and cousin, Stephen Lewis of Houston, TX.
Published in Ithaca Journal from June 19 to June 20, 2008
