Gerard R. Pitman

Gerard Richard Pitman, 78, of Harrisburg, PA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at Community General Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg. He was born on May 18, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Walter and Christine (Strenk) Pitman.

Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Caroline (Turczany) Pitman, and children Gerard Jr., and his wife Jill of Plympton, MA; Raymond of McDonough, GA; Joanne of Harrisburg; Edward and his wife Suzanne of Grantville, PA; Mary Ellen and her husband James Barry of Harrisburg, PA; Joseph and his wife Teri of Middletown, PA; and Michael and his wife Natasa of Camp Hill, PA. Grandchildren are Leanna Meyers, Alexander and Christina Barry, Emily and Natalie Pitman, Mark and Rachel Pitman, Taylor and Tyler Pitman. Also surviving is a sister, Carol, and her husband Arthur Reiss of Levittown, NY and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was the first person hired when Book of the Month Club moved its distribution center from New York City to Pennsylvania. As Assistant Vice President and Director of Human Resources and Community Relations he received Time Inc.’s coveted Andrew Heiskell Award for exceptional contributions to equal opportunity and human rights, and he served in the U.S. Army. He was a compassionate man, which motivated his participation in the Urban League, long before “diversity initiatives” were in style. He was a former Chairman of the Board for the OIC, Mechanicsburg, and was active with the Dauphin County Library and the Cumberland Perry Vo-Tech School.

After taking early retirement, Jerry rejoined the labor market with the Commonwealth of PA, the Dauphin County Department of Public Welfare, and retired from the Human Relations Commission, later he sold cars with M&M Auto Sales.

Jerry was a Roman Catholic, very active member for many years at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and School; later he became a member of Mater Dei Latin Mass Community in Harrisburg.

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated 10:00 AM Thursday, January 24, 2013 at the Cathedral Chapel of St. Lawrence, 110 State St., Harrisburg. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Mechanicsburg. A visitation will be held 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, January 23, 2013 in the Neill Funeral Home, 3501 Derry St., Harrisburg, with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted by the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 430 Monastery Road, Elysburg, PA 17824.