Retired Wakefield firefighter

Published in the August 17, 2016 edition

raymond-pitts-obit-webBEVERLY — Raymond H. Pitts, 73, of Beverly, formerly of Wakefield and Melrose, died Monday, Aug. 15, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

He was a retired firefighter for Wakefield Fire Department.

Born in Melrose on April 23, 1943, he was the son of the late Paul W. Sr. and Margaret (White) Pitts. Ray was raised and attended school in Melrose and he served in the U.S. Air Force.

He was a retired Wakefield firefighter. He served for 16 years and retired in 1981. Ray was a member of SPAAMFAA, MAFAA, Box 52 and First Responders. He was very involved with fire associations, safety issues and antique vehicles.

Family members include his loving wife of 53 years, Anita (Michaud) Pitts; loving sons, Frank Pitts and his wife Marsha Hamilton of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Howie Pitts and his wife Joyce of Marshville, N.C. and formerly of North Reading; daughters, Katherine Devereaux of Jupiter, Fla., Gayle Hills of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. and Melissa Cacas and her husband Anthony of Glendale, Ariz.; his sister, Linda Stocker of Wisconsin; 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

His funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. Calling hours will held prior to the service from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. www.croswellfuneralhome.com.