On the morning of October 27, 2017, Carmen Thomas Pitney Sr. was called to eternal rest at his home, with his loving family by his side.
Carmen was the faithful husband of Ann Cafasso Pitney.
They were married for sixty-two years.
Carmen was born in Derby, the son of the late E. James & Mary Pitney.
He is survived by four children; Barbara Carlson (John), James, Carmen Jr. (Margaret), Paul and ten grandchildren, Michael Carlson (Allie) & Katie Carlson, Thomas, Kristen LaRovera (Carl), Matthew & Lauren Pitney, Joseph & James Pitney and Emily & Max Pitney.
He is survived by sisters, Louise Pitney & Dorothy Tynan (David), sister-in-law, Susan Pitney as well as many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
He was predeceased by a sister, Marie Smith and a brother, Louis.
He graduated from Derby High School class of 1950 and attended Quinnipiac College and the University of Bridgeport.
He worked as a lab tech at Bond Rubber for twenty-two years. He later helped start the Syntex Rubber Co. in Bridgeport.
In 1969, he became Supervisor of Grounds & Maintenance for the Ansonia Board of Education and retired from that position in 1998.
For seventeen years, he was the trainer for the Ansonia High Football & Basketball teams.
He served on the Board of Education from 1966 – 1969 and in 1967 served as its President for one year. He returned as a member of the Board of Education in 1999 and has served since, currently as Vice-Chairman.
Carmen served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean Conflict and attained the rank of Corporal.
Carmen was very active at Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia. He was one of the volunteers who rescued the Chalices that were in danger from the raging waters of the flood in 1955.
He was a member of the Catholic Men’s Club and served as President for two years. He worked diligently with Pat Golino & Fred Jecusco to produce the famous sports nights held at Warsaw Park. He was instrumental in helping Father Salemi initiate the plans for the new Holy Rosary Church. He was a member of the committee to sell the old church and buy property on the Hilltop area of Ansonia. He worked very closely with Father Iannetta in the lay-out and construction of the new church and rectory.
Carmen was a member of Holy Rosary Church for over sixty years. He was named Trustee by Father Iannetta in 1973 and served in that capacity for thirty-four years. He was Holy Rosary Man of the Year in 2000.
He was a member of St. Joseph Society and has been a member of the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree Knight, for over sixty years.
He was chairman of the Finance Committee at the church for four years and counted the offertory for over forty years.
He has worked the annual Italian Festival from its inception and if a supper or breakfast was needed to be cooked, he was the man to call.
From its inception, Carmen has been a committee member of the Fred Jecusco Sport’s Banquet which honors the Ansonia High School football program.
He was instrumental in obtaining and remodeling the trailers for the church in order to accommodate the large number of children who need religious instruction. Carmen served as an usher and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.
In 2005, he was honored to receive the St. Joseph’s Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation. He served as the Chairman of the Father Salemi, Father Manfredi, Father Iannetta and Father Genua Memorial Garden Plaques.
He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 3 and Post 33 when Ed Strang was Scout Master. He and his sister Marie danced on the stage at the former Sterling Theatre in Derby when they were five and seven years old.
Carmen was always ready to help anyone in need.
He volunteered at the blood banks held at Holy Rosary, where his fabulous pancakes kept bringing donors back. He learned to make delicious sheet cakes that were served as desserts at the dinners held at the church.
He had a fantastic mind. When he worked for the school system, he knew where every pipe was, where all the electrical wires were and worked to fix many a problem.
He could remember minute details and knew how to do anything. Many school projects had his initials on it. His grandchildren would call Pop whenever they had a project to make.
Carmen will be missed by his family and by all of the people he helped. No matter who called to ask a question or for help with a problem, Carmen responded.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday October 30, 2017, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Holy Rosary Church, 10 Father Salemi Drive in Ansonia.
On Tuesday, October 31, 2017, relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral at 10:00 am (PLEASE MEET DIRECTLY) at Holy Rosary Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with U.S. Army military honors will immediately follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carmen’s memory may be made to a scholarship being created and awarded to a graduating student at Ansonia High School who exemplified excellence in technical studies.
Please make checks payable to Ann Pitney.
The SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME in Ansonia, has been privileged with the arrangements.
To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
