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John Pitts Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 8, 2023.

John Thomas Pitts, also known as Johnny, passed away on August 28, 2023, at the age of 68 in Riverside, California. He was born on November 26, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John was a true gentleman, always willing to lend a hand and known for his generosity and kindness.

John attended St. Madeline School in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, for his primary education. He later graduated from St. James Catholic High School in Chester, Pennsylvania. John loved helping others and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

John became a Merchant Mariner shortly after high school, and started work with Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO) in 1977. He began in the mailroom, started his sailing career as messperson, sailing his way up to Able Seaman (AB) and then Boatswain. He also held the role of chairman for the ARCO Marine employees union (AMEU). In his later years he served as treasurer and ultimately President for the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Committee in San Pedro, CA. In 2017, he was elected to the American Merchant Marine Veterans National organization as Treasurer and then National President in July of 2019 for a two-year term. He retired from the maritime industry in 2019, after 47 years of dedication.

John was preceded in death by his father, Thomas S. Pitts, his mother, Anna M. Pitts (Smith) and his brother, Thomas F. Pitts.

John is survived by his daughters Casey Pitts, Christine Pitts, Theresa (Manuel) Garcia, Jennifer Pitts; Grandchildren Breanna Pitts and Odin Garcia; Sister Nancy (Pitts) McCallum

A ceremony to celebrate John's life will be held on October 14, 2023 at the Lakewood Country Club, in the Avalon Ballroom, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm located at 3101 Carson St. in Lakewood, CA.
Following the ceremony, a reception will take place from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Phil Trani's Restaurant located at 3490 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA.

In memory of John T. Pitts, contributions can be made to the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Committee (AMMVMC). Donations can be made online at americanmerchantmarinevmc.org or by mail at AMMVMC, Inc., P.O. Box 1659, Wilmington, CA 90748.

John's kind and helpful nature will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace, forever in our hearts. Fair Winds and Following Seas

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Recent Activity

November 22, 2023

Jeffrey F Zanes posted to the memorial.

October 13, 2023

Patty Young posted to the memorial.

September 23, 2023

Pat Santolla posted to the memorial.

9 Entries

Jeffrey F Zanes

November 22, 2023

John and I sailed together on the SS ARCO Fairbanks in the mid-seventies, I have many fond memories of him.
Jeffrey Zanes

Patty Young

October 13, 2023

I met John working for Crowley and he came to Clancy´s pub in Long Beach. Clancys had a joke night every month. John was the funniest ever. He asked me to sing the National Anthem for several years at the Maritime annual celebration in San Pedro. I asked him to join us at St. Anthony fundraising dinner for the sisters to tell jokes. He was hysterical. I love John. May he rest in peace.

Pat Santolla

September 23, 2023

John Pitts was so kind offering literature about the Merchant Marines since my father was in the Merchant Marines in WWII. He touched so many lives with a joyous attitude. God Bless.

Alta Graham

September 21, 2023

I met John Pitts at the Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial annual Wreath Laying service years ago. He was welcoming and an enthusiastic representative of the Merchant Marine veterans. As years passed, we met annually to honor his service and that of so many other veterans. Last May 15th John and his daughter Christine came to our Point Vicente Chapter NSDAR meeting. in his honor, our theme of the month was National Maritime Day. John's presentation "The U.S. Merchant Marines: Unsung Heroes from the American Revolution to the Present" was informative and made real the special service provided by the Merchant Marine through our national history. It will be my honor to attend his memorial service to show my appreciation for his patriotism and great efforts.

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Yvonne Chairez

September 13, 2023

The first time I met John he had my husband and I laughing all night between his stories of fatherhood to being a Merchant Marine to all his funny jokes.
He was a pleasure to be around. I had only spent a couple times around him but it felt like I knew him forever. I wish I had met him sooner. The icing on the cake for me was when I found out he was a Philadelphia Eagles Fan. You will be missed John.
Yvonne Chairez

Steve FLECTHER. CHRISTAIN. ,MOTOR MOUTH. SALIGA

September 11, 2023

JOHN, thought about you. for the last 30 years, the seas were not always smooth, but you forged ahead, did your best, GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS,,, what we wish for does not always produce what we expect. Rest in peace.

Ed Shields

September 10, 2023

I meet John Pitts over 10 years ago in a bar called Joe Jost in Long Beach, CA. We were introduced by a mutual friend who recognized my philly accent and wanted to introduce me her philly friend John. Well, we found we are both from DELCO. He was St Mads and St James, me Notre Dame de Lourdes and O´Hara. We discussed hanging on the same street corners and knew the same people. I didn´t know John then as I was 4 years younger. It was such a great fist conversation we had over 10 years ago and soon became close friends, best friends actually.

Many times he has come to my house where we had back yard parties and it was not unusual for him to show up unannounced and we would just site in the back yard reminisce about the old neighborhood with many laughs. I remember oysters at the boathouse, bar hoping in sunset beach, golfing at courses in Long beach, afternoons at the Gas Lamp listening to friend´s bands, partying at Phil Trani´s restaurant with good friends, traveling to Green Bay to watch the Packers play, watching the EAGLES on Sunday and the endless jokes!!

I had the great pleasure of being with Pitts when the EAGLES won the super bowl, what a night that was. And anywhere you would travel, and if you were speaking with him on the phone, he would tell you what was good, where to go etc... He knew it all. The list goes on and on. He was one of the most generous persons I knew and I just know he´s up there holding court, telling jokes and making them all belly laugh. I miss him lots and maybe in some form I´ll see him again... GOD SPEED my friend... Never forgotten

Frank Smith

September 8, 2023

Growing up as a young teenager with John was a rewarding life experience. I could write a book with all the stories I have deep inside my mind. John´s goal in life was to make people laugh, whether with or at him. Two things that stick out the most to me , that I still tell people some fifty years later: John would drive his car come to a stop at a red light and would pull out this old phone receiver and pretend he was in a conversation with another party. Looked so convincing it turned many a head and got a good laugh. Mind you, this was in the early 70´s long before the cell phone came about. He was a great visionary, knew what the future would bring. John would also keep a stuffed animal in his trunk, and tell people he had a mongoose there and everyone´s curiosity would take over and want to see it. He would open the trunk and this mongoose would spring out and land on whoever was standing there. It scared the hell out of everyone involved . I knew what was coming and still ran , fearing John would get a real animal to land on you. Many a person soiled their pants over this prank. One time after John first joined the merchant marines, he was docked in Philadelphia for the weekend . We were partying all night when John told me he had to get back on the ship or he would be in trouble. On entering the ship John had to pass by two security guards to get aboard. On entering the vessel John says to me let me borrow Janet (the young girl I was dating at the time) convincing her to crawl inside his duffel bag. He proceeds through security and goes to the ship´s deck. So now we have John and Janet yelling back at security to have a nice weekend. I never saw two security guards get off of their chairs so fast and run to capture this intruder. I am sure these guards got In trouble over this incident. They probably had one job to make sure no one enters the boat without proper documentation. I could go on with the stories but would not have enough space to write on. He also was in my wedding party! Thanks John for the memories. You will be missed! Your friend, Frank Smith

Jacquie Atkinson

September 8, 2023

We met John and his daughter in Costa Rica.. the 4 of became instant friends. I´ll never forget the first words he spoke to me. Can I top you up there? It became a long lasting friendship since that time. He was an amazing human being! So robust with a sense of humour to match! We will miss him dearly.
Much love to John and his family.
Jim and Jacquie Atkinson

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