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Submitted: 7/13/17 • Approved: 7/13/17 • Last Updated: 10/8/22 • R16530-G0-S3
January 22, 1931 - March 22, 2017
Anthony G. Pitalo, Jr, age 86, passed away on March 22, 2017. Known to his family and friends as "Buddy," he was born on January 22, 1931 in Biloxi to Anthony and Katherine Pitalo. He grew up in Bay St. Louis, graduated from St. Stanislaus College in 1948, and went on to graduate from Tulane University in 1952. Following his college graduation, Buddy served two years in the United States Air Force before returning home to work in his father's store, Pitalo's Supermarket. It was during that time that he courted and then married Patricia Poolson in 1957.
Buddy began his teaching and coaching career in 1960 at St. Stanislaus College. He obtained his Master of Science degree from William Carey College while teaching. Buddy was a member of the SSC Sideline Club and he dedicated 25 years to teaching at the school, from which he retired in 1985. After retiring, Buddy then built a restaurant that he called, "Bud's Catfish House." He and his family worked together to make the business successful. Once he sold the restaurant in 2006, he dedicated his time to traveling with Pat and attending the extra-curricular activities of his grand-children and eventually his great grand-children. Any spare moments were spent out in his yard picking up pecans or working on a household project. He truly enjoyed just being outside. In May of 2013, Buddy was honored as the oldest living baseball coach for St. Stanislaus College. Just this year, he was honored by the American Legion Post 139 for 45 years of service and loyalty.
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony G. Pitalo, Sr. and Katherine S. Pitalo, and by his sister, Anna P. Gayaut. He is survived by his loving and loyal wife of 59 years, Patricia P. Pitalo, and his four children, Catherine R. Pitalo, Donald A. Pitalo (Carolyn), David C. Pitalo (Cathy), and Cynthia P. Wasilenko (Clayton). He was a doting grandfather to his grand-children, Courtney P. Rich (John), Moira Nix, Anthony Pitalo, Allyson Pitalo, Ryan Pitalo, Caroline Pitalo, Hannah Pitalo, and Abbie Sawyer. Buddy was also blessed to have seven great grand-children, Dominique, Cayler Ann, Jayden, Beckam, Harley, Lawson, and Skylar.
The family wants to thank his caregivers at Dunbar Village and Notre Dame Hospice. They would also like to thank his home caregivers, especially Dale, Cherriel, Mary, and Evette, for their support during his last days. Visitation will be held at 10:30 am with Mass to follow at 11:30 am at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church on March 24, 2017. A private burial service will be held next week. Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Contributed on 7/13/17 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 16530