Thomas Pitts

Thomas Pitts passed quietly and peacefully from this life June 27, 2024 at the age of 92.   A Bostonian born and raised, and after serving honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict (a tour of duty that he loved), Tom made his way from Boston to Chicago.  He found his new people in an Irish clan and settled in with his Boston accent in tow, never to leave him.   One evening while having a beer at a pub with a pal, another Thomas, that Thomas’s sister, newly arrived from Dublin and somewhat crowding her brother’s  style, but providing home cooked meals, arrived at the pub to announce that his dinner was ready.  Smitten, our Thomas asked “Who is that?”  The other Thomas (soon ours as well) rolled his eyes and said “My sister.”  Thus began a great love.  Thomas Pitts married Anne Garland in 1958.  Anne, never quite at home on her native or new soil, regarded Thomas as “my America.”  Three daughters graced their lives:  Frances (Daniel) Leadley, Jenny (Edward) Manier and Barbara Pitts.  Also delighting Thomas was his granddaughter, Sarah.  Thomas was proud to and enjoyed serving Mass as an altar boy every weekday from the day of his first Eucharist until he joined the Navy.  Thomas had a long and rewarding career in the deployment of these new things having many applications:  Computers.  He enjoyed golfing and a bit of travel with Anne.  But mostly he enjoyed his family.  And we enjoyed and loved him immeasurably.  At 92, almost 93, he remained intellectually sharp and engaged to the end.  A true joy and gift to his children, particularly after the death of his beloved Anne in 2016.   Private services will follow.  Those who knew Thomas, or have come to know him a bit through this tribute, may honor his life with attention to civic duty or a  charitable donation of their choice or a simple act of kindness.  

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