JOSEPH FRANKLIN PITTS B.SC.CE,

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JOSEPH FRANKLIN PITTS B.SC.CE, P.Eng. Joseph Franklin Pitts died peacefully at home on April 4, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife of over 70 years, Pearl and his eight children, Ron and Jane, Sharon and Anastase Mastoras, Carol and Jack McGee, Sue and Mike Walsh, John and Patricia, Laura Burton, Nancy and Arvid Stonkus, Jamie, fifteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Joe was predeceased by his parents, John Nicholas and Mary Catherine Adams, his brother Charles, sister Mary Louise McKenzie of Winnipeg and Robert. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Moreau. Born in 1925 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Joe attended St. Edward's School and St. Paul's College High School, where he received the Governor General's medal. He attended the University of Manitoba in Engineering. The biggest milestone in Joe's life was when, in 1943 with two friends he made a trip to Selkirk, Manitoba and met a young Icelandic girl named Pearl Stephanson. His life was forever changed. Joe graduated from university in 1947 and Pearl and he were married just two months later. After graduation, he joined his father's firm of J.N. Pitts Ltd., with his brother Robert. For years he travelled extensively throughout Ontario with the construction business. In 1965 Joe retired from the construction business to spend more time with Pearl and their eight children. But his busy life didn't stop there, in the 1960s at the request of Father Maurice Whelan he founded the Parents Guild of St. Michael's College School, he also served on the Parents Guild of Saint Joseph's Morrow Park, where his five daughters attended high school. In 1969 he was asked by Monsignor John O'Mara to serve on the Archdiocese of Toronto's building committee. As a volunteer he served on this committee for 32 years. Joe also served on the board at Marylake for the Augustine Fathers and was a long time member of the Serra Club. In recognition of his work with the Catholic community, Joe received Papal Honors; in 1980 he was awarded the Knight of the Order of Saint Sylvester and in 1996 was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross. Joe was truly blessed in his life with the love of the girl from Selkirk and of his children and grandchildren. Our thanks to Dr. A.J. Kirshen and all of Dad's caregivers for their compassionate support. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care would be appreciated. Visitation on Sunday, April 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at R.S. Kane Funeral Home, 6150 Yonge Street, Toronto, 416-221-1159. Funeral Mass on Monday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Toronto. A reception to follow at The Thornhill Club, 7994 Yonge St. "You can take the man out of the West, but you can't take the West out of the man!"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 07, 2018