Obituary of Cyril "Cy" Pittack

Cyril “Cy” Pittack

July 5, 1941- November 21, 2022

Cyril “Cy” Pittack, of Reston, VA, passed away surrounded by his family on November 21, 2022.

Born in Dunmore, PA, to Cyril and Louise DeSanto Pittack. He spent his early years wishing he could hit a baseball like Ted Williams and sharing adventures with his brothers. He was an altar boy at St. Rocco’s Catholic Church; his strong faith and passion for learning, two things he carried with him through his life, led him to the seminary. He graduated with a B.A. in philosophy from Niagara University in Albany, NY. From there he studied for the priesthood at the American College of Leuven, Belgium, but on a summer break working in Washington, D.C., he met the love of his life, Louise Van Tine, and found an even stronger calling. They married, started a family, and in 1970 settled in the (then) new town of Reston, Va.

Cy had a long career with the United States Government, first serving in the Post Office Department while also serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, and later for the U.S. Postal Rate Commission. Not finding retirement to his liking, he went back to work at the Smithsonian Institution.

While he was a voracious reader of books (history, biographies, theology) and loved to follow current events- his real passion in life was spending time with his family. Whether playing bocce on the beach, taking his daily walk with his wife, attending a school play, long telephone calls to check in on everyone, or watching a little league game he was happiest surrounded by the ones he loved.

Cy is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Louise “Weezie” Van Tine Pittack; three children: Chrissy Triano and her husband Steve, of Richmond, VA, Brian Pittack of Reston, VA, and Sarah Solomon and her husband Lee, of Denver, CO; five grandchildren: Joseph and Olivia Triano, William and Maggie Solomon, and Finn Pittack; and brothers: Fred, Louis and his wife Kris, Gene and his wife Kathy, and Kevin and his wife Anne. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, December 2, 2022, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd Reston, VA 20191. A reception at the church will follow.

In remembrance of Cy, those who wish may make a contribution to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Please go to their website or simply click on the following link: pancan.org  to submit your donation.