Irwin S. Bitter

Irwin S. "Bud" Bitter, 97, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away September 17, 2015 at Charlotte Harbor Healthcare. He was born March 1, 1918 in New Rochelle, NY and moved to Punta Gorda in 1975 from Ossining, NY. During World War II, Irwin served as a Captain in the Army Air Forces piloting a B-25 for over 1000 hours in the European African Middle Eastern Theater, earning a purple heart and bronze star. He also served in the 1950's as a Captain in the Education and Training Staff Office of the United States Air Force in Newfoundland, Labrador. He was a graduate of the State University of NY, Oswego. An educator, he spent his career primarily as a shop teacher in Ossining, NY, Pleasantville, NY and BOCES, Yorktown, NY from which he retired. Locally, he served as Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Charlotte County and with his beloved wife, Mimi, worked for many weekends at Earth and Sea in Fisherman's Village. His greatest joy in retirement, however, was in his garage where he always had a project; including restoring a 1930 Rolls Royce and building an experimental airplane which he proudly flew until the age of 80. Survivors include his son, Irwin "Bert" (Sue Studz); daughters, Ann (Lyn Park) Bitter and Pam (David) D'Amore; step-daughter, Yvonne (Larry) Sprunger; grandchildren, Dave (Morgan) D'Amore, Chris Sprunger and Eric Sprunger and great-granddaughter, Ella. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Marianne "Mimi" Bitter. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.Ltaylorfuneral.com and sign the online guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral.