André Jay Pitman

Nov. 9, 1943 – May 26, 2016

Andre’ went home to be with the Lord May 26, 2016, after a courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He passed away at home in Fence Lake, N.M., with his wife Martha at his side. He was 72.

Andre’ was born in Los Angeles, Calif., to Barbara Wold Pitman of Issaquah and Richard Pitman.

He was enrolled in the Black Foxe Military Institute in Los Angeles during his early years. He lived in Issaquah and Glendale, Ariz., before graduating from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. Andre’ earned his bachelor’s degree in forensic anthropology from Central Washington University.

In Los Angeles, he was a manager for Safeway and also worked for Bishoff’s Taxidermy in Hollywood. After moving to Whidbey Island, Andre’ worked at the Oak Harbor Naval Station as an emergency room technician, and assistant coroner for Snohomish County. For many years, he served as a volunteer firefighter, officer and EMT on the Island, and also on the first marine water rescue unit for South Whidbey Fire No. 3. Andre’ later worked for Swedish Hospital in Seattle and Issaquah as an emergency room technician. In Seattle, he also worked as a certified paralegal, and sold seafood for a major seafood distributor, earning the nickname “Captain Seafood”. Andre’ met Martha in 2003. They lived on Whidbey Island, Mercer Island and in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, before moving to Fence Lake, N.M. He served as a volunteer firefighter and fire chief for Fence Lake and then officer in charge for the US Postal Service in Quemado, N.M.

Andre’ is survived by his wife of nine years Martha Lindstrom Pitman; his daughter Jill Davis of St. Louis, Mo.; son Thomas Pitman of London, England; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Baptist Church in Quemado, N.M.