UNION GROVE - Albert "Buddy" Pitts, 85, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Kenosha on December 7, 1926, he was the son of the late Francis and Mary (Ruffalo) Pitts. He earned two Masters Degrees from the University of Wisconsin System. He lived in Kenosha until 1950 when he moved to northern Wisconsin and then returned to the area in 1952 when he moved to Union Grove, WI. Albert served his country in the U.S. Navy as a Radio Man, 3rd Class, from December 1, 1944, until his honorable discharge on July 26, 1946. On May 13, 1950, he married Evelyn A. Herrmann at St. George Catholic Church. Albert was an educator who taught for two years at Medford High School and for 18 years at Union Grove High School. He also served as Assistant Principal for one year. His teaching career was followed by 20 years as Director of Vocational Education for the Racine Unified School District. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church and was a former president of the Rotary Club of Western Racine. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from UW-Whitewater in 1976, the Paul P. Harris Rotary Club Award in 1985, the Dean's Award from UW-Stout in 1987, the State PTA Outstanding Educator Award in 1990, and is in the Southeast Wisconsin Educators Hall of Fame. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; eight children, Mary Ann (Frederick) Dawson of Milwaukee, James Albert (Elise) Pitts of Racine, Joseph Daniel Pitts of Sturtevant, Regina Marie (James) Neist of Eagle, Margaret Mary Pitts of Madison, Catherine Mary (David) Zabler of Franklin, Monica Mary (Bob) Rushing of Union Grove, and Evelyn Mary (Daniel) Amundson of New Berlin; a brother, Robert (Mary Jean) Pitts; two sisters, Eleanor Hogan and Arlene (Eugene) Bilotti; 17 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Rachel Rushing in 2008; three brothers, Harry James, John and Frank; and a sister, Margaret Runge. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 21st, from the Proko Funeral Home at 9:45 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church, 5804 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. George Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be held on Friday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The Roma Lodge will conduct a service at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the charity of one's choice in Albert's memory would be appreciated by the family. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory 5111 60th St. 262 654 3533 Visit Albert's Online Memorial Book At: www.prokofuneralhome.com

Funeral Home
Proko Funeral Home
5111 60th St.
Kenosha, WI 53144
(262) 654-3533
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Published in Racine Journal Times from Apr. 18 to Apr. 20, 2012 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/journaltimes/obituary.aspx?pid=157094848#sthash.JQFIIRnL.dpuf