Longtime La Cañada Flintridge resident, John Pitt, recently passed away at the age of 72 after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease that lasted more than 25 years.
John moved to La Cañada in 1965 from Beaverton, OR when his father was transferred from his job in Portland. As a LCHS graduate in 1967, he was a member of the first class that attended all four years at the school.
John immediately became active in school activities, competing in both football and baseball. His true love was golf but at the time LCHS didn’t have a golf team. He went on to compete at PCC as the No. 2 man on the varsity.
John married Cheryl Stanley (LCHS Class of ’72) in 1974 and they recently celebrated their 48th anniversary. John and Cheryl had two sons, Brian and Jeremy, who also were LCHS graduates (’93/’98) and all league football players. John devoted countless hours to local youth sports programs, especially the Gladiator Football program. He spent over 10 years coaching his two sons plus dozens of other young boys.
Well after his coaching days, Mr. Pitt, as he was known, would walk into a local restaurant and be approached by a mature young man that had played for John 10 years earlier. The conversation usually involved an experience from the playing days. John mentored so many of these young boys who went on to become successful adults. John also contributed many hours to the LCHS Spartan Football program.
John loved all kinds of outdoor activities. He organized many trips and fun events for his family and friends. John loved taking his family on adventures and believed in hard work followed by fun and play. Whether it was boating, snow skiing, golf, the Pitts were always on the go.
John spent his entire working career in the industrial sweetener business, retiring from Sweetener Products after 35 years. After his retirement, John and Cheryl relocated to their condo in Palm Desert where they enjoyed playing golf nearly every day. During the past two years, as his condition deteriorated, John resided at Caleo Bay, a memory care facility in La Quinta.
In addition to his wife and two sons, John is survived by a sister, Kathy Pitt (LCHS Class of ’69), and a brother, Dale Pitt (LCHS Class of ’75). He also had 5 grandchildren. Additionally, he leaves 2 brothers-in-law, Norm Stanley (LCHS Class of ’69) and Tony Gaignard. Also, 2 sisters-in-law, Alison Stanley-Gaignard (LCHS Class of ’80) and Teri Stanley as well as his mother-in-law, Thelma Stanley and numerous nieces and nephews.
Since the day John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he was a big supporter of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The family wishes that any gifts or contributions be made to this foundation. Parkinson’s is a brutal disease and John gave it a noble battle for over 25 years. He’ll be missed by all who knew him.
