Joseph V. “Chick” Bitil, age 95, of Cold Spring, died on Friday, Oct. 4, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

Born on May 20, 1918, in Peekskill, he was the son of the late Joseph and Isabella (Nikin) Bitil. He was predeceased by his wife, the late Elizabeth V. (Landolfi) Bitil in 2009.

Mr. Bitil was a retired Police Officer with the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Village of Cold Spring, retiring in 1983. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during World War II, having attained the rank of staff sergeant.

“Chick,” as he was known to family and friends, was active in many organizations including George A. Casey American Legion Post #275, and James Harvey Hustis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2362, both in Cold Spring; Peekskill Lodge #744 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Washington Engine Company, Peekskill, and the Putnam County Police Benevolent Association. He was also a parishioner of Our Lady of Loretto Church in Cold Spring. In earlier years he was an outstanding athlete, having been asked to try out for the New York Yankees, and caddied for greats such as Babe Ruth.

Survivors include his beloved daughter Isabel McDonough and Glen Scofield of Fishkill; two brothers, Walter Bitil of Peekskill, and John Dvozenja of LaGrange, N.Y.; two grandchildren Joseph McDonough and Michele Berlingieri; five great-grandchildren, Joseph Jr., Marissa, Sara, Jenna and Kathleen; and one great-great-grandchild, Braylin Joseph. Several nieces and nephews also survive him. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by one sister, Helen Kazmirowski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 24 Fair St., Cold Spring, NY 10516. Interment will follow in the Cold Spring Cemetery. Friends may call at the Clinton Funeral Home, Corner of Parrott and Pine Streets (21 Parrott St.) Cold Spring, NY 10516, on Monday, Oct. 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Donations may be made in Mr. Bitil’s name to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

Behind The Story

Type: Obituary

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