Mr. William Scace Litty

William Scace Litty, beloved husband of the late Joan B. Litty, died on July 3, 2016, with family at his side. Born October 2, 1924 in West Pittsfield, MA, he was the son of Raymond V. and Ida Scace Litty. Bill graduated Pittsfield High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps. A decorated Flight Engineer, he served his country on a B-24 Liberator with the 98th Bomb Group, flying in campaigns and battles in North Africa and Europe. He attended Syracuse University to study landscape architecture and civil engineering and graduated in 1949. He then began a 40-year career in the Massachusetts Department of Public Works as a District Highway Engineer, building roads and bridges in the post-war push to modernize America. His career evolved to encompass the positions of District Roadside Maintenance Engineer and District Snow and Ice Control Engineer, until his retirement in 1990. Bill and Joan were married August 16, 1952 and were deeply devoted to each other, with 60 wonderful years of marriage until Joan’s death in 2014. Bill was a loving husband and dedicated himself to Joan’s happiness. Together they made a formidable team, and they always put their children first. Bill was an especially involved father. He enthusiastically helped with school projects, taught his children to ski and to perfect other athletic skills and passed along to them his affinity for the natural world, and love of gardening and landscape architecture. He was a patient and unflappable father, and there was no problem he couldn’t solve. As a child of the Depression, he deplored waste and loved to fix what was broken, preserve what was new, and apply salves and unguents to people and things. A doting grandfather, he closely followed his grandchildren’s academic, athletic and artistic pursuits. He dispensed lavish amounts of affection and advice, and always let them know how proud he was of them. Bill served many years on the Pittsfield Shade Tree Commission, including several as chairman. He co-chaired the Pittsfield Winter Sports Committee and the Dawes School PTO with Joan. He coached Boys Club Youth Hockey. He was an avid Boston Bruins and New York Yankees fan, and rooted for his alma mater’s lacrosse, football and basketball teams. He loved to play golf in the beautiful Berkshires, especially with his friends in the “Geritol League” at Skyline Country Club, and ski with his children and Joan at Jiminy Peak. He enjoyed walking around his neighborhood, checking in and dispensing criticism, advice and help, (in that order) along with many a witty quip. Bill and Joan traveled in Europe, the Caribbean, and across the US and Canada, visiting many National Parks, hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. They would spend a month each year in their special place: St. John, USVI. There they would meet dear friends and enjoy island life. Bill was especially known for his love of sunshine and his pursuit of the perfect “Coppertone tan” whether in St. John, or poolside at home with Joan, family and their wonderful neighbors. Bill epitomized the qualities of “the Greatest Generation”, with his integrity, humility and fiercely strong work ethic. He will be remembered by all as dedicated family man with a heart of gold. He is survived by son David and Marian Bodine of Vermontville, NY; daughter Marianne and Bruno Zeppa of Pittsfield and son Steven of Pittsfield. He is also survived by daughter Susan Steijn and husband Kirk of West Simsbury, CT and grandchildren William, Nicholas and Steven; son Christopher and wife Laura of Ellington, CT and grandchildren Derek and Sarah, and nephew Burton Wallace of Pittsfield. FUNERAL NOTICE: In accordance with Bill’s wishes, funeral arrangements will be private. Donations in Bill’s memory may be sent to: The William S. Litty Youth Hockey Scholarship Fund, Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club, 16 Melville St. Pittsfield, MA 01201. Wellington Funeral Home, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. William Scace Litty

October 2, 1924 - July 3, 2016