James R. Pitcher

US Navy

WWII Veteran

James R. Pitcher, 81, of Heritage Village, Southbury, died December 29 in Danbury Hospital. Mr Pitcher was the husband of Shirley (North) Pitcher. He was born in Northampton, Mass., on May 15, 1926, a son of Napoleon and Hazel (Parent) Pitcher.

Mr Pitcher grew up and was educated in Essex Junction, Vt. Previously of Newtown, Mr Pitcher resided in New Hampshire for 18 years and for the past 4½ years has been a resident of Southbury.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, survivors include two daughters, Mary Leibold and her husband, John, of Newtown and Sherry Wheeler and her husband, Tad, of Sherman; a son, Michael Pitcher and his wife, Elizabeth, of New Milford; a brother, Robert Pitcher of Sun City Center, Fla.; a sister, Lorraine Cavedon of Wadmalaw Island, S.C.; and seven grandchildren, Michelle, Nicholas, and Zachary Pitcher, Sarah and Amy Wheeler, and Christopher and Kevin Leibold. He was predeceased by a brother, Donald Pitcher.

He served in the US Navy during World II as a member of an underwater demolition team.

Mr Pitcher had a career in banking and real estate sales and was last employed by Reinhold Real Estate in Franconia, N.H.

He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Southbury.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday January 4, at 11 am, in Sacred Heart Church. Interment will follow in St Rose Cemetery, Newtown. Calling hours were scheduled at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, for Thursday, January 3, from 4 to 7 pm.

The Newtown Bee        January 4, 2007