EDWARD S. "DOC" VON SITAS ESSEX JUNCTION - On Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 at 10:45 a.m., Doc departed this world to be with God. He died at home with his family present. Born on Sept. 25, 1917, in Springfield, Mass., Doc's parents were Stephen and Cecelia Von Sitas. Doc's parents and brother, Gerald, predeceased him. Doc grew up and attended grammar school in Bennington. Doc attended preparatory school at Father of St. Edmonds High School in Swanton and studied for the priesthood at St. Michaels College. His classmates later commented Doc became a father anyway, even if not through the church. As a young man in Bennington, Doc worked at the pharmacy in the Hotel Putnam, and proudly told everyone he earned 50 cents a week and all the ice cream he could eat. Doc later attended and graduated from Springfield College of Pharmacy. Doc met Phyllis H. Matteson of Arlington and married her on Dec. 26, 1942. Doc owned Carroll's Pharmacy in Essex Junction for twenty years. While running the pharmacy, he served his community as Fireman, Police Officer, and Scout Leader. As a volunteer police officer he helped the Vermont State Police start a drug recognition program and helped train officers. Doc organized and led Pack 25, the first Cub Scout pack in Essex Junction, for 12 years; and was a charter member of the Essex Junction Rotary Club. Doc was honored by the Secretary of State's office for his thirty years of work as health officer for the Village of Essex Junction, Vermont. Doc dedicated his scant free-time to studying Civil War history and sharing the stories, so that a whole generation of grandchildren might know the North won the war. His greatest joy was having his family around him. With everyone at home, the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren running around the house, he would sit in his chair and go to sleep just as happy as anyone could be. He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Phyllis, the love of his life, whom to this day he called "his bride." He also leaves his son, Edward G. Von Sitas and partner, Sharon Cleary; and his daughter, Sandra and her husband, Edward Lacroix. Granddaughters include Kimberly Lavallee and husband, Stephen, of Mont Vernon, N.H., Kaaren Dagostino of Essex Junction, and Jennifer Lacroix and husband, Franziskus Lepionka, of Cambridge, Mass.; and grandson, Stephen Von Sitas and his wife, Katja, of Fairfax. Three great-grandsons include Nicolas and Timothy Zumbo, and Kai Von Sitas; and great-granddaughters, Stephanie and Monica Gardner. The family would like to thank Home Instead and the Pace Program. Doc was known for his humor at Pace; he told them he had a million jokes (and he did have a million). A very special thank you to Judy Beaudry and Betsy MaGee for the loving care they gave to our Dad. He will be greatly missed by his loving family. Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010 at A. W. Rich Funeral Home - Essex Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Aug. 16, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church, Essex Junction, with Reverend Charles Ranges, S.S.E. officiating. Inurnment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Doc's memory may be made to Essex Junction Fire Department, 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452 or Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452. The family invites you to share your memories and online condolences by visiting
www.awrichfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A. W. Rich Funeral Home - Essex Chapel, 57 Main Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452.
