Joseph J. Pittak, Jr., 86, U.S. Navy Veteran
Joseph J. Pittak, Jr., age 86, of Lorain, passed away on the evening of Sunday April 13th, 2014 while a resident of the New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph.
He was born in Lorain on August 13, 1927 and remained a life-long resident of the city.
Mr. Pittak was a World War II veteran of the United States Navy where he fulfilled duty assignments as a Seaman 2nd Class aboard the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal as well as the American Area Ribbon.
A retired supervisor for CenturyTel, Joe was a long-time parishioner of the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church where he was active as a member of the Holy Name Society. He was currently attending St. Mary Catholic Church in Lorain.
Dedicated to his family, he enjoyed a variety of leisurely interests including fishing, camping, and working on automobiles. Additional hobbies included playing cards, board games, and reading periodicals with a special interest in technical magazines including Popular Mechanics and Popular Science.
He is survived by his wife Anita “Babe” (nee Kosten), by daughters Susan Pittak of Lorain, JoEllen Watts (Brad) of Vermilion, MaryLee Richards (Dale) of Kent, and Kathy Lazar (Jerry) of Brecksville, along with sons Michael and Jay (Karen) both of Lorain, and Chris (Annette) of Amherst. In addition, he leaves seventeen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and his sister Anna Boyce of Amherst.
Joe was preceded in death by his infant daughter Julianne, by his parents Joseph J. and Helen (nee Straka) Pittak, by brothers Andrew and Frank Pittak, and by his sister Helen Drabiak.
Please join the family for the celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 16th in St. Mary Catholic Church (corner of 8th Street & Reid Avenue). Reverend James Becherer will officiate.
In Lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to either the National Geographic Society – 1145 17th Street, Washington, D.C. 20036 or to the Smithsonian Institution Foundation, C/O 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2335, New York, New York 10170.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, Lorain. To share your memories and condolences with the Pittak Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.