Raymond Lewis Fittro
November 21, 1932 ~ August 16, 2010
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Raymond Lewis Fittro
Asheville, NC ~ Raymond Lewis Fittro, 77, devoted husband of Evelyn, passed away Monday, August 16, 2010 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville.
Born November 21, 1932 in Beloit, Ohio to the late Ole Lawrence and Pearl Fittro. Ray spent his childhood in Sebring, where he developed his love for music and the violin. Following his high school graduation, he was employed by the J.C. Penney Company in Warren, OH. His career was interrupted in 1952, when he joined the 148th Infantry Regiment and proudly served his country during the Korean War. Following active duty, he returned to J.C. Penney Co., where he entered a managerial track which spanned four decades, four states and numerous awards of excellence. His tenure with J.C. Penney concluded in Rochester, NY with his retirement in 1994.
Ray, a member of Arden Presbyterian Church, was a committed Christian, who actively served in his local church and the Gideons. He held various leadership roles over the years, teaching Sunday School, serving the needy, distributing Bibles, and connecting with local churches. As a businessman, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Asheville, where he also found ways to give back to the community.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn J. Fittro; two daughters, Lora (Mark) Barlow and Marsha (Christopher) Greene; two sons, David (Barbara) Fittro and Roger (Kirsteen) Fittro; eight grandchildren, Eric (Lisa) Barlow, Chad and Kara Barlow, Taylor and Sarah Fittro, Jessica, Fiona and Matthew Fittro; one sister, Lois Bush and one brother, Glenn Fittro.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Arden Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.
A private interment will be held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to The Gideon International Memorial Bible Fund, PO Box 1506, Asheville, NC 28802 or to Arden Presbyterian Church Missions Fund, 2215 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC 28704.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Evelyn,
I was so saddened to hear about Ray, I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers…
Evelyn,
May God, who has given Ray sweet joy and peace at last, renew your strength, console your heart, and surround you with His love. We were saddened to hear of Ray’s death, but know that he is now at peace with our Lord. We will miss his warm friendly smile at Arden Sunday School and church. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Evelyn: Diane and I have wonderful memories of Ray along with you being a part of the church in Rochester. Rejoicing that Ray is face to face with the Savior he loves and praying for you and the family for comfort and peace.
Blessings,
Barry and Diane Lawrence
Mrs.Fittro,
We were saddened to here of Mr.Fittro’s passing. He was a fine man and a joy to have in our practice. He will be missed tremendously. Please know that you and all your family are in our prayers and take comfort in knowing he is wrapped in the arms of Jesus now.
Sincerely,
Dr.Milton Poulos and Staff
I was saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. Even though I saw him only occasionally at the Rotary Club meetings, my life was enriched by our discussions.
Dear Fittro family,
Sorry to hear of your recent loss. Mr. Fittro was a true gentleman who stood for all the right things in life. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
Sincerely,
Bob Donahue
I am greatly saddened to learn of Ray’s passing. Ray was a good friend and a great Rotarian. Ray was always one of the first to offer his help to our project. He was faithful to our Honor Air program for WWII veterans. Ray will be sorely missed.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some comfort during this difficult time.
May you find peace in the memories of joy during this time of sorrow.
Our prayers and love for you Evelyn and all the Fittro family. Trust a safe trip back for all those who traveled here to be with ‘Dad’/’Grand Dad’.
All is perfect for Ray now. Amen!
Evelyn,
I was so shocked to learn of Ray’s passing. I was just in Penney’s last week and I was telling the salesman about him. Ray was always an inspiration to me, especially in the Gideons. He taught me how to do a first class Pastors Banquet and I give him the credit when I train younger men. I look forward to seeing him in heaven. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Dear Mrs. Fittro & Families,
Sincere sympathy to you & your family. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Fittro at the Longridge JCP store here in Rochester. We all respected him for his moral values, work ethics & love of his family & us as his extended family. We had many memorable conversations over the years as my manager.
He was a great man!
Regards,
Sharon Vogel
Evelyn,
My heart goes out to you on your loss of Ray. I have been lifting you and your family up in my prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Richard & Jackie Vaughn
Dear Evelyn & family,
Please accept our sincere sympathy for your loss. We admired Ray very much in the way he conducted his life and the testimony he shared in his faith in Christ. May God bless you all in his memory.
Sincerely, Ken and Joan
I am sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
Dearest Marsha and Family, may peace and love surround you during this time of loss. My prayers and hugs, Kristine
Aunt Eve and Cousins,
We are saddened by the loss of Uncle Ray. We wish we could be with you to give you hugs and share so many cherished memories. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as always.
Dear Aunt Eve & Cousins,
We will miss Uncle Ray but find comfort in knowing he is with our Heavenly Father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Evelyn and family — We thank God for Ray and his testimony to all of us, living for the Lord Jesus! We have such fond memories of our time with you and Ray here in Rochester. Mike and I are so sad for your loss, and will keep you in our prayers for God’s peace and comfort.
Evelyn, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember getting to know you and Ray on our Israel trip and through church functions. I am praying for you; lean on the Lord for comfort and peace.
I remember Ray as a gentle, loving soul…devoted to God and his family. I pray for comfort,strength and peace for his family during the days ahead.
Evelyn,
I know you are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the passing of you long timt companion Ray, but just think what he is experiencing right now at this moment.
He was one of the greatest gentlemen and witness for the Lord I ever met and his heart was constantly thinking of others and how he could be a blessing to them.
He gave out hundreds of copies of Gods word as a member of the Gideons and I know he will have a special place in heaven for his devotion to the service of our Lord.
God bless you and your family. and I for one, am looking forward to seeing him again in heaven soon.
Hi Evelyn,
How sorry we were to hear of your loss. You are in our prayers, always.
sincerely
Sheila Dreher
Rita Capuano
Helen Walton
Aunt Eve and cousins
Uncle Ray will be missed but I know he is with our heavenly father now. Our prayers are for your comfort and continued Faith, Hope, Joy and Love.. Judy & Bill