Pitts, Harold W.

Description

Harold Walter Pitts was born August 19, 1918 to Walter Harold Pitts and Mabel Keefe Pitts in Weymouth, MA. At 13, he moved to Rye, NY to live with Robert and Thelma Dodge. In Rye his family lived at 64 Greenhaven Road.

Harold attended a Military Academy, graduated from Rye Neck High School and attended Fordham University. He and his brother George joined the New York National Guard, 31st Fleet Div. on October 7,1937.

Harold married Helen Mary Hall on November 16, 1941 at Blessed Sacrament Church in New Rochelle. They had three children during their marriage.

Harold enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in the US Navy as a Medic onboard the USS American Legion, his service number was 402 81 48. (SEE MUSTER ROLLS)

The USS American Legion (AP-35/APA-17) was a Harris-class attack transport ship that served with the United States Navy during World War II. Reclassified as an attack transport (APA-17) in February 1943, she played a crucial role in the Pacific theater of World War II.

On August 7, 1942, the American Legion landed some of the first U.S. troops on Guadalcanal. She participated in rescue missions, including rescuing survivors of the USS Quincy.

From April 1944 until the end of the war, the ship served as an amphibious warfare training ship off the coast of California.

Harold was honorably discharged on December 28, 1944. He and his family moved to Eastchester in 1949

Harold worked as a Claim Agent for Grace Line Shipping in Manhattan. He was a consultant for Y. S. Lines, and retired in 1992. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

His hobbies included roller-skating, playing cards, collecting stamps, photography, gardening, golf, fishing and cooking. He was a fan of the Yankees and the Giants. Seagulls were special to him.

Harold Walter Pitts, a longtime Eastchester resident, died October 18, 2000 at Hudson Valley Hospital. He was 82.

Mr. Pitts was predeceased by his wife, Helen, in October 1990. He was survived by two daughters, Beverly Pasquini of Millbrook, formerly of Carmel; and Diane Lore of Eastchester; and one son, Harold Jr of Eastchester; seven grandchildren, Jane Williams, Debra Hayes, Donna, Laura and Anthony Lore, Harold Isaac, and Marc Pitts; three great-grandchildren, Patrick Hayes, Christian and Erin Williams. Two brothers, George and Leonard died earlier.

The family will receive friends at the WESTCHESTER FUNERAL HOME, INC, EASTCHESTER, Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 21, at Immaculate Conception Church, Tuckahoe, at 10:45 am. Interment at Rose Hills Cemetery, Putnam Valley.