Charles D. Pitt

December 23, 1932 - November 30, 2020

Loudonville – Charles Deforest Pitt, 87, passed away peacefully on November 30th, 2020 with his loving family by his side – both literally and virtually. Son of the late Miriam (Pitts) and Harry N Pitt, he was born in Albany on December 23, 1932. He grew up in Loudonville and graduated from Albany Academy in 1951. He joined the US Army, serving from 1952-54 during the Korean War. Returning home, he attended Hobart College on the GI Bill, graduating in 1957, gaining a BA in Business and a wife. The mother of his three sons, Marilyn (Boyce) Pitt (pre-deceased 2007) was a perfect match for his intelligence and wit – and the perfect foil to his fun loving gregarious outgoing personality. He was a 40+ year employee of Rose & Kiernan Insurance, and longtime Rotary Club member, with numerous friends and colleagues in the Delmar and Albany area. He enjoyed his friends and his life to the hilt. He always appreciated a good meal and some libations. He took his work as seriously as he took his leisure time – many times they intertwined. An avid reader, he particularly enjoyed history, espionage and WWII novels. He kept intact a family antiquarian book collection, and added to his family’s collection of art, antique furniture and to his beloved collection of Oriental carpets in the “ancestral home”, as he jokingly called the house he grew up in and retired to. He was a lifelong pilot, receiving his pilot’s license before his driver’s license. He loved to fly and continued to fly into his later years. Showing his adventurous side, one of his “toys” included an ultra-light airplane. After flying, his second love was golf. He was a keen golfer, with a “lucky 13” handicap. Winner of several golf tournaments, he enjoyed immensely playing at Albany Country Club – where you will find his name on several plaques in their halls. His winter sport was bowling. He belonged to a bowling league at The University Club in Albany, where he once served as President. Winters were also when Charlie and Marilyn traveled the world, eventually visiting every continent. They particularly enjoyed cruises, his favorite being one up the Amazon, exploring the jungle, and sleeping in tents (not Marilyn’s preference). Activities such as scuba diving became part of his tropical vacations. Retirement meant time to visit grandchildren, and even more time to explore the world. Charlie and Marilyn rode elephants in India, visited penguins in Antarctica, and saw the Great Wall of China. Sadly, he lost his partner in life to a sudden stroke in 2007. Charlie spent some years traveling solo – enjoying the world, but even more so after he met a kindred spirit: Evelyn McLauchlin. Her love of adventure and golf matched his own, and with her Charlie embarked on a second chapter of explorations. Charlie was not ready to tuck his passport into a drawer and his suitcases into a closet, in spite of his body not always cooperating. Charlie spent his last years with care at home, and then in the full-time care of the kind people at The Eddy Heritage House, Troy, NY where he continued to charm all those he encountered. He spent his last few days at Samaritan Hospital fighting and losing a battle with COVID. The Pitt family would like to give a special thanks to his home care staff (Desiree, Dolly, Priscilla, Denise, Joanne, Lavasia, and Colleen) and to Maureen, Debi, Kristal, Yolanda, Hopie, Donna and the entire second floor staff at The Eddy. We are also forever grateful to the Hospice care staff at the Samaritan for making his last hours peaceful. Survivors include his wife Evelyn (McLauchlin) Pitt. His sons Charlie (Annelise), Steve (Linda), and Bill (Nora), and grandchildren Julia, Alex (Alaina), Jeff, and Katie. His stepchildren John-Scott (Debbie) McLauchlin, Jeff (Wenonah) McLauchlin, and step-grandchildren Enzo and Asher. Charlie (aka Dad) would often joke that he was on the “Back 9” of his life. While Parkinson’s physically slowed him down as he got older, Charlie’s love of life and sense of humor never wavered. His infectious laugh and easy-going mannerisms rubbed off on all that he met. A celebration of life is being planned for the summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Parkinson’s research at michaeljfox.org or Alzheimer’s research at alz.org. While taking your seat at the “19th hole”, rest in peace Charlie. You will be missed.