Franklin Albert 'Al' 'Nick' Pithers
Franklin Albert “Al” “Nick” Pithers, 86, of Butler passed away Wednesday evening surrounded by his family at Butler Memorial Hospital following an illness.
He was the son of the late Sidney and Florence Douthett Pithers. He was born on Nov. 9, 1926, on the south side of Butler, where he spent his entire life.
Al was a member of the Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, the French and Belgium Club and the Italian Club.
He was employed at the Spang Co. for 16 years, and then at Armco for 39 years until his retirement in 1993.
Al was an accomplished local sports figure, participating in several sports, including football and slow pitch and fast pitch softball. He also played basketball and even organized his own basketball team known as the Butler Knicks. Of all the sports he was involved in, his greatest love was baseball. Having been scouted by many professional baseball teams, he chose to join the local Pennsylvania team, the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1940s. He completed spring training but had to return to Butler due to family obligations.
He was an avid sports memorabilia and autograph collector, attending many sports banquets and conventions with his beloved son, John.
He was also a great fan of professional sports and was a season-ticket holder of the Pittsburgh Steelers for more than 30 years. He attended Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Mich., in 2005 and Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla., in 2009. Al was also a season-ticket holder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, having attended opening day, with John, for 39 consecutive years.
Al enjoyed his sports and travel, but especially, his family.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlene Davidson Pithers; one son, John Sidney and his wife, Donna “D” Pithers, of Butler; two sisters-in-law, Oleta Pithers of Erie and Carolyn Pithers of Butler; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Al is the last surviving member of his immediate family having been preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William Pithers and Donald Pithers.
PITHERS — Friends of Franklin Albert “Al” “Nick” Pithers, who passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 13, 2013, will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 429 Center Ave., Butler, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Saint Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Andrew DeFusco, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Butler County Memorial Park Cemetery.His family request memorial donations be made to Meals on Wheels, 218 E. Jefferson St., Butler, PA. 16001Directions and online condolences at www.martinfh.net.
