Rufus F.E. Pittsley
Retired Truck Driver for Maislin Transport Ltd.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL: Rufus F.E. Pittsley, age 87, a resident of Parrish, FL, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
He was the beloved husband of Virginia F. “Ginny” (Almeida) Pittsley, who passed away on January 1, 2016.
Born in New Bedford on October 6, 1936, he was the son of the late Clarence Pittsley and the late Maria (Phillips) Pittsley.
Rufus was raised in New Bedford and attended New Bedford Public Schools.
In 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War era. He was awarded the Occupation Medal (Germany) and the National Defense Service Medal for his active-duty service.
In 1968, he moved from Somerville to Tewksbury where he resided until moving to Parrish, FL.
Prior to retirement, Rufus was employed as a truck driver by Maislin Transport Ltd, of Montreal, Canada and was a member of Teamster’s Local 25 and Local 633.
He and his late wife enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling and spending the winter months in Florida.
Rufus was a former member of the American Legion Post # 400 in Florida.
He is survived by his children, Rufus F.E. Pittsley, Jr. and his wife Candace, of Tewksbury, Carl W. Pittsley and his wife Mary, of Billerica, Joanne B. Walsh and her husband Ed, of Salem, NH, and Luann Sykes and her husband Phil, of Haverhill. He was grandfather of Stephanie Pittsley, Jeremy Pittsley, Alexander Walsh, Cameron Walsh, Alyssa Mitchell, Eddie Mitchell, III, and the late Jared Pittsley Daly. He leaves seven great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Rufus was the brother of Agnes (Pittsley)Stout, Arthur G. Pittsley, Florence L. Pittsley, Abigail P. (Pittsley) Vieira, Rachel M. (Pittsley) Hunter, Ruth E. Pittsley, Mary F. (Pittsley) Stout-Neiss, Clarence B. Pittsley, Jr., George W. Pittsley, Morris B. Pittsley, Patricia (Pittsley) Gemaly and Harold B. Pittsley.
Calling hours are Thursday, December 28th, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. Funeral services Friday, December 29th, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org