Dr. George Frank Gitlitz

1930 - 2023

Dr. George F. Gitlitz died peacefully on August 20, 2023, at home in Dalton, MA, surrounded by children, grandchildren, and friends. He was born in Binghamton, NY, on April 8, 1930, the son of the late Morris (Yale '25 and Yale Law, '28) and Deborah Gitlitz. He was predeceased in 2007 by his beloved wife of 43 years, Sheila Ravitch Gitlitz, and by his dear brother, Robert Davis Gitlitz (Yale '55), in 1978. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Sharon Gitlitz, his "forever son-in-law" Steven Skoblow, and their children, Dvorah Fanny Skoblow Gitlitz and Aviva Leah Skoblow; by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael Louis Gitlitz and Dr. Rita Landman, and their children, Jasper Frederick Gitlitz and Nina Gitlitz; and by his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Rose Sauer and David Sauer, and their son André Reuven Sauer; and by the dear ladyfriend of his later years, Mrs. Katarina Fried of Sarasota.

He received his BA in 1952 from Yale, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and wrote for The Yale Record, the college's humor magazine. He received his medical degree in 1956 from the NYU School of Medicine, served a rotating internship at Cincinnati General Hospital, and his residency in general surgery at Montefiore Hospital in New York City. He then served two years in the US Army Medical Corps, stationed at the Fort Jay Army Hospital on Governors Island in New York City. He returned to Montefiore to serve as the Assistant to the Chief of Surgery, Dr. Elliott Hurwitt. In 1965 he returned to Binghamton to join Dr. Judson Griffin in the practice of general, vascular, and trauma surgery, retiring in 1998.

George loved tennis, and downhill and cross country skiing, and started running before it was popular. He played piano "passably" (we loved it), and favored Mozart and Bach. He was a rabid Gilbert & Sullivan fan, and could sing "Modern Major General." During his career, he fought for tougher anti-drunk driving laws, and fought to ban cigarette advertising. After he retired, he wrote passionately about the need to reduce global population to avert climate change.

"Saba" doted on his children and grandchildren, and kept everyone in stitches with an endless stream of quips, puns, and literary quotations. He had an infectious smile and charmed everyone he met with his affability and the twinkle in his eye. Although he struggled with dementia and two hip surgeries during the last few years of his life, he never missed a chance to express his gratitude and appreciation for his food; his family, friends, and caregivers; and for the many blessings that living in America affords us. He saw the world through rose-colored glasses, and he inspired others to do the same.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Services for Dr. George F. Gitlitz will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 9:30 AM at Congregation Knesset Israel at 16 Colt Rd., with Rabbi David Weiner officiating, immediately followed by burial at Temple Israel Riverside Cemetery in Binghamton, New York. Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes, 5 Elm St. Pittsfield, MA 01201 is entrusted with arrangements. Shiva/calling hours will be observed from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday Aug. 23 and Thursday Aug. 24 at 2 Pomeroy Ave. in Dalton.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for contributions in George's memory to be made to Population Connection - www.popconnect.org or Mothers Against Drunk Driving - www.madd.org.