Alphonsus James Pittman

  General Notes:

ancestry.com - Leonard Family Tree


PITTMAN, Al - Corner Brook, NF. Al Pittman died peacefully amid family and friends at Western Memorial Regional Hospital, Corner Brook, NF, on Sunday, August 26, 2001. Born Alphonsus James Pittman on April 11, 1940 in St. Leonard's, Placentia Bay, he grew up in Corner Brook. He took his post-secondary education in Salem, Massachusetts and at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and taught school in Newfoundland, New Brunswick and the province of Quebec before returning to his hometown in 1975 as a member of the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College English Department, from which he retired in 1998, subsequently he was appointed writer in residence until his death. He was a poet, playwright and author, with four plays, three books for children, and six collections of poetry among his published works. The subject of several radio, television and film documentaries, he gave public readings throughout Canada, in Europe and the United States, and was the recipient of several literary awards. He was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Hall of Fame. Predeceased by his father, A.D. Pittman, in 1978; his mother, Mary (Leonard) Pittman, in February of this year, and brother Keith; he is survived by two daughters, Kyran and Emily, and their mother, Marilee; four grandsons, Jordan, Alden and Jonah Houston and Remy Pittman, and their fathers Patrick Houston and Scott Byrne; sisters Alice Dicks and Eileen Murphy, and brothers-in-law Joe Dicks and Robert Murphy; brother Ken and sister-in-law Katie; brothers Gordon, Kevin and Brian; and countless beloved friends, students and admirers of his work. The family will be receiving friends at Fillatre's Funeral Home, 4 St. Marks Avenue, Monday and Tuesday evening from 7:00-9:00 p.m. A private memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the endowment of a travel bursary for Sir Wilfred Grenfell College's Theatre program for Harlow, England.
August 28, 2001

Alphonsus married Living