Obituary: Richard Carl Pittman, 68, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

The light of the world has dimmed with the passing of Richard Carl Pittman, 1954-2023. Rick, as he was known to those who had the luck to cross his path, grew up in Avon, MA with one of the loudest families on the block. Fun loving and witty, he and his siblings would raise noise levels to concert level decimals with their competing jokes, affectionate jabs, and crazy adventures. A graduate of Cardinal Spelling High School, Stonehill College, the University of Massachusetts, and the Harvard University Extension School, Rick loved to learn and had an affinity for history and psychology. He was also an accomplished athlete from an early age. In fact, as a goalie in high school and college ice hockey, (and captain of the college team) and as one time captain of the Stonehill College football team Class of 1976, there were few sports that Rick didn’t master (except golf-it made him nuts!)

Rick dedicated his career to people with disabilities. He started his career as a direct care giver to troubled teenagers and ended his professional life largely as CEO of a nonprofit agency that provided an array of services to an essential population: the developmentally disabled. His philosophy was simple: treat people with dignity, respect, and let everyone know that they have worth. This philosophy extended to everyone with whom he had contact, from clients to colleagues, strangers to friends, and especially his own family.

There was no one in the world who meant more to him than his daughter, Anna. Rick was dedicated to her wellbeing in ways that most parents could only hope to be. With unrelenting compassion, he regularly honored Anna’s uniqueness with empathy, patience, and love. Undeterred by bumps on the road, he was Anna’s greatest champion. As in life, he will remain her true North Star, and she need only look toward the sky and her heart to find him when she needs him.

In addition to being a devoted father, he was a true partner to his wife, Chris. This partnership provided a daily oasis for them both. They were uniquely compatible and complementary; their like mindedness provided the foundation for their adventures in travels, politics, music, gardening, and dog adoption. Their shared sense of humor was the spark that lit and fanned the flames of their connection, and it was that same humor that got them through the hardest times. Laughter weaved through their lives together from beginning to end.

Rick was also a gentle and kind father figure to his stepdaughter, Kaitlin and her wife, Taylor. He approached his role as stepfather with the same distinctive exuberance he did as a father, leading Kaitlin to view him as her own. She will forever be grateful for the innumerable and exceptional ways he nurtured her authentic soul.

The Pittman gatherings will never be quite the same without Rick. His passing will be keenly felt by his brothers Johnny Mixson, Carl (Kay), Roy “Stephen” (Debbie), Bob (Joann), Mark (Cay), David (Nadia)) and sisters Peggy Hall (Earl) and Trish O’Donnell (Tommy) Their spouses will feel the void from his loss while all will share the happy memories he left behind. Many nephews and nieces will also remember Rick’s humor and fun-loving soul. He was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Jean, his sister Jeannie, and his late wife, Kristin.

Rick’s beloved rescue dogs, Angus and Millie, will be sure to miss Rick’s outings with them to local dog parks. They adored Rick, and the admiration was mutual. They helped to ease the pain of the cancer that ultimately took Rick’s life.

Rick was a softie for animals, yard work, Massachusetts sports teams, underdogs, an excellent glass of whiskey, and Lucky Charms. He knew all kinds of trivia about any number of subjects but especially about musicians, as he had an admiration for exceptional but little-known rock guitarists. When not tending to his beautiful gardens, you could find him reading some historical book of one kind or another, dreaming about his favorite places: Cape Cod and Ireland, sharing a laugh with his wife, or helping out one of his neighbors. Always an armchair politician, he grew active in local and state politics after moving to Connecticut. He was on the Branford Democratic Town Committee for some years before his death, served as the District 12 representative to Connecticut’s State Democratic Party, and assisted with local Democratic campaigns. He rarely said no when someone asked for his help and stayed levelheaded whenever things got chaotic. A true believer in equality, Rick enthusiastically participated in the original Women’s March. He was a genuine humanitarian whose compassion for everyone regardless of sexual orientation, color, race, religion, income or education was evident in the way he treated people of all walks of life: with respect.

Rick was a beloved brother, husband, father, uncle, friend, mentor, and colleague. Those who knew him will be forever grateful for the infinite ways their lives were enriched by his presence. True to his character and prior to his death, Rick asked that his life be honored by making a donation to Mosaic at https://www.mosaicinfo.org/donate-today/, your local animal shelter, or the charity of your choice.

“I carry your heart with me (I carry it in
my heart) I am never without it (anywhere
I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing”

Visitation on Saturday July 8, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with a service at 11:00 in the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. We thank everyone for the love, support, kindness, and prayers. May the universe continue to bless us all with the kind of love Rick gave to the world. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.

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W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home