Joseph M. Pitts, 84, of Wayland, formerly of Needham, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on November 14, 2025, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on August 28, 1941, the second child of William and Lillian (nee Sheridan) Pitts. He graduated from North Quincy High School in 1959. He served four years in the Navy, including on the USS Canberra during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and was honorably discharged in 1964. He met his future wife, Grace Bradley, in 1967, and they wed in 1969.
Joe enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching his grandsons play sports, fine dining, traveling with his wife, ardently following the Red Sox and, especially, a good walk spoiled.
Joe graduated with a degree in engineering from Northeastern University in 1970. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he worked in a series of positions that culminated in his serving as Vice President of Ocean State Thermotics. In 1989, he went into business for himself full-time as a manufacturer’s representative, and he was never happier in his career choice. He founded Jamiesan Co., which had an office in Needham Center, the town where Joe and Grace lived for many years. While operating Jamieson for about three decades, Joe used his engineering skills and warm personality to help manufacturers meet the needs of their customers, often helping them in the technical design of their products.
While Joe had a successful career, the place where he found greatest enjoyment was on the golf course, particularly when he was playing with family. He began by hacking his way around local public courses in the mid-1980s. Eventually, though, he became quite adept at the game, becoming one of the early members of The Ridge Club in Sandwich, MA, where he and Grace built a second home. In his last few years, he found new friends and enjoyed laughter with his beloved “Club” at the Medfield Council on Aging.
Joe is survived by his wife (Grace), son Michael (Jennifer) of Zionsville, IN; daughter Susan (Scott) Mazur of Weston, MA; grandchildren William and Jonathan Pitts; Jack and Benjamin Mazur; brothers William (Marion) Pitts and Walter (Carolyn) Pitts; sister-in-law Susan (Joseph O’Toole); cousin-in-law Claire Morrissey; and 7 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Leah Mazur; his parents; brother Donald (Carol) Pitts; brother-in-law Philip Bradley; and his mother- and father-in law, Philip and Carmela Bradley.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, November 21, from 4 to 7 pm at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., Needham. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 22, at 10:30 am at Saint Susanna Church, Dedham. Burial at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Needham.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joseph may be made to the St. Francis House, P.O. Box 120499 Essex Station, Boston, MA, 02112-0499, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or online.