JOSEPH PATRICK MITTS

MITTS, JOSEPH PATRICK March 13, 1932 to Oct. 23, 2010 CDR Joseph Patrick Mitts, USN (Ret) of Mira Mesa died on October 23, 2010, at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. His loving family was by his side. Born in Great Falls, MT, on March 13, 1932, Commander Mitts attended schools in Montana, California and Wyoming. He enlisted in the Navy in 1949 from Casper, WY. Commander Mitts was commissioned as a "mustang" Supply Corps officer in 1956. His 25-year naval career included service during the Korean conflict, and two tours in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, China Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with two stars. Following retirement in 1975, Joseph and his family moved to Rancho Bernardo. He was employed as assistant purchaser for San Diego County while working toward his bachelors and law degrees. He practiced law in the San Diego area, and received an award from the San Diego Bar Assn. for work done on behalf of clients of incapacitated and disabled attorneys. Joseph loved his family, his children and grandchildren, and his dogs. He especially loved the sea and time in the service of his country. He married Roberta Hope Mitts in 1984. He also is survived by his sister Sandra Yoffie of San Rafael, CA; his daughter Kathleen Coles of Pittsfield, MA; his sons and their spouses: Joseph (Pat) and Kathy Mitts of Las Vegas, NV; Sean and Lorraine Mitts of Brewster, NY; and Kevin and Marybeth Mitts of Lenox, MA; two stepsons, Isreal Nahsohn of Napa, CA, and Adi Nahsohn of Temecula, CA; eight grandchildren, Brooke Nahsohn of San Diego, Corey Mitts of Las Vegas, Connor and Kyle Mitts of Brewster, NY, Alex and Jacob Coles of Pittsfield, MA, and Margaret, Elizabeth and Katherine Mitts of Lenox, MA. Three step-grandchildren and nine nieces and nephews also survive. He was predeceased by his brother, Michael Francis Mitts of Kalamazoo, MI. A U.S. Navy Burial at sea will be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his honor be made to the Navy-Marines Corps Relief Society of San Diego, PO Box 8103, San Diego, CA 92136-8103.