Obituary of Melvin Pettit Sr.

Loudonville - Melvin Pettit, Sr., 93, beloved husband of Clare Strapp Pettit for 68 years, entered into eternal life after a brief illness on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Born in Wheeler,Texas, he was the son of the late Eugene and Lourinna (Cadell) Pettit. He was raised on the family farm in Texas where he learned many life lessons. He served his country during World War II as a Captain in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. Mr. Pettit met his beloved wife Clare Strapp at a USO dance in New Jersey and married her on July 27, 1946. During their years together, they lived in many places including Highland Park, NJ, Troy, NY, Toronto, Canada, and Loudonville, NY. They also traveled extensively with dear friends to many parts of the United States and island resorts. Melvin worked for Johnson & Johnson for more than 30 years. He retired in 1978 as Vice President of McNeil Laboratories, a division of J&J in Canada. After his retirement, he was active in many business ventures with his Canadian colleagues. Clare and Melvin returned to Loudonville in 1987. Melvin was a longtime communicant of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Loudonville. He was an avid golfer, scoring his first hole in one at age 85 and his second later the same year. He was a former pee-wee hockey coach and little league coach for several years in the Troy area. He was a volunteer at Albany Memorial Hospital for more than 20 years and a member of the Literacy Volunteers of America. His faith and his family were the cornerstones of his life. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include his loving children Melvin (Charlyn) P. Pettit Jr. of Latham and Eileen (Kenneth) Sielatycki of Basking Ridge, NJ, his cherished grandchildren Derek (Elaine) Pettit and Keith (Debbie) Pettit, and his adored great-grandchildren Alex Pettit and Julia Pettit. He was predeceased by his siblings Shelby Pettit, Wiley Pettit and Gladys Reeves. He is also survived by his nephews Maurice Pettit, Borger, TX, and Eugene Pettit, Neosho, MO. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday January 26, 2015 at 11:00 am in St. Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Road, Loudonville. Relatives and friends are invited to call Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers donations to can be made to Volunteer Services Albany Memorial Hospital 600 Northern Boulevard, Albany, NY 12204 or The Little Sisters of the Poor 1365 Enfield Street Enfield, CT 06082-4925 For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.