Thomas Pitcher

Thomas J. “Tom” Pitcher, 75, died suddenly Jan. 18, 2004, at Whidbey General Hospital. He was born July 9, 1928 in Nantucket, Mass., to Lester Thomas and Dorothy Irene (Foster) Pitcher.

Tom was raised in Peabody, Mass., and graduated from Peabody High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Nov. 1, 1947. Tom’s military service took him to Atlantic City, N.J.; Millington, Tenn.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Long Beach and Alameda, Calif.; Barbers Point, Hawaii, and Whidbey Island.

Mr. Pitcher retired from the Navy May 5, 1975 as and chief petty officer. He then worked as a civilian at NAMTRADET as a mechanic and also at the fuel farm. He worked for a time as a tank cleaner for the Shell refinery in Anacortes. His final position was as a housekeeper for Whidbey General Hospital, retiring in 1984.

Tom was an avid video duplicator, acquiring hundreds of movies. He enjoyed working with computers as well as hunting and fishing. He was very involved with the Retired Chief Petty Officers Association, serving as Wagon Master for many camping events and organizing barbecues.

Mr. Pitcher was a member the Retired Chief Petty Officers Association, the Pearl Harbor Lodge, F & A.M. and the Shrine.

Mr. Pitcher is survived by his wife Alice at the family home, Oak Harbor. He is survived by two children and their spouses, Thomas J. Pitcher, Jr. and wife Grace of Everett and Ellen and Phil Shark of San Ramón, Calif. Three sisters, Beatrice Pitcher and Elizabeth Pitcher, both of Boston, Mass., and Dorothy Aslin of Peabody, Mass., and one brother Lester Pitcher of Naples, Fla.; one sister-in-law, Dorothy and Sam Hallinan of Peabody, Mass., and four grandchildren Allie Pitcher of Everett; Bryan, Brittany and Brett Albano, all of San Ramón, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, with Cmdr. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret) officiating. Cremation was held with private burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. Arrangements were under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.