John C. Pitcher

GUILDERLAND - John C. Pitcher, 57, died suddenly on Sunday, November 24, 2013, at Albany Medical Center Hospital.

Born in Albany, he was the son of the late Harold Pitcher and Virginia (Smith) Pitcher Maxwell. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Hazel Smith, his uncle, O.J. Smith, and his friend Michael Gearhardt. John is a graduate of Guilderland High School and the Florida Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering.

John worked in a variety of positions in the retail industry over the years, including Trustco Bank, Regal Cinema, and Crossgates Mall. He progressed to team leader and manager with increasing experience over the years. Most recently, he was a Merchandiser for Kellogg's Corporation working in a number of different locations across the Capital District.

When John was growing up, he spent many happy hours at the Turnpike Restaurant in Guilderland, which was owned and operated by his parents in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. During the winter months when the restaurant was closed, the family lived in Delray Beach, Florida. John's more recent interests included reading, movies, TV, collectibles, comic books, and wrestling. He was a member of Helderberg Reformed Church.

John is survived by his sisters, Patricia Eberhard (Jeff) of Colonie and Cheryl Vieira (Marc) of Lake Almanor, CA; cousins, Christopher Smith (Jennifer) of San Diego, CA and Debbie Brickey (James) of Forest Grove, OR; nieces and nephews, Matthew and Melissa Eberhard of Colonie, Kelly Millino (John) of Concord, CA, Eric Emerton (Diane) of Cary, NC; great-nephew Ethan Emerton of Cary, NC; Godson, Michael Pultz and many friends.

A calling hour will be held on Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at New Comer Canon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie. A memorial service will follow at 2 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Voorheesville Town Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, NY, 12186 or the Helderberg Reformed Church, 435 New York 146, Guilderland Center, NY 12085 in memory of John C. Pitcher.