GOULDSBORO – William “Bill” Edward Pitt, 90, died Aug. 7, 2012, at Emeritus Nursing Home, San Dimas, Calif. He was born Nov. 19, 1921, in Oxford, Conn., the son of Edward and Lena (Keller) Pitt.
He graduated from Bassick High School, Bridgeport, Conn., and then went on to graduate as an electrician from Bullard-Haven Technical School, Bridgeport, Conn. After joining the Navy Reserves, he was called to active duty in 1941. He served on the USS Zircon warship, which was used to patrol for German submarines along the Northeast coastline and to escort convoys in the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. After having accumulated enough time at sea, he transferred from the Navy to the U.S. Merchant Marines and left in 1946 as a full lieutenant. The latter part of his military service included teaching engineering in New London, Conn., Boston and at Maine Maritime Academy, Castine. After his discharge from active duty, he married Claranne Hamilton of South Gouldsboro, and raised a family while working in hospital administrative positions in three different hospitals in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Bill retired to Maine 26 years ago. His favorite hobbies included golfing, fishing, hunting, boating and traveling. He had been a member of Scottish Rite Freemasonry of the Bangor Valley and the Portland Valley; Anah Shriners, Bangor; Franklin Veterans Club, American Legion Post No. 207, Maine Masonic Lodge No. 192, Gouldsboro Historical Society and Naples Power Squadron.
He is survived by his daughter, Lorraine E. Crook and husband, David, of San Dimas, Calif.; son, William E. Pitt Jr. of Winter Harbor; sister, Dorothea C. Ryan of Sun City Center, Fla.; nieces, Susan Webber and husband, Jon, of East Blue Hill, and Mary E. Flaum of Winter Harbor; and nephews, C. Richard Young and wife, Joyce, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Gouldsboro, and Keith H. Young of Winter Harbor.
Memorial arrangements will be planned for the fall. Those who wish may donate in his memory to Anah Shriners, attention Jillian, 586 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401, for the pediatric burn care at Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston. www.smartcremation.com
William Edward Pitt
