Richard J. Kitts

Born in Fulton, N.Y., he moved to Staten Island in 1945 after serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Wadsworth and Fort Benning, Ga., during World War II.

After graduating from Pace University, Manhattan, Mr. Kitts was an office manager at Gaetjens, Berger and Wirth, Manhattan, one of the oldest printing-supplies firms in America.

Upon retiring, he also owned and operated Nu-Brite Cleaners on Jersey Street, worked as a security guard at the College of Staten Island and served as a tax accountant for numerous clients on Staten Island.

Mr. Kitts was a past treasurer for the Harbor Terrace chapter of the AARP.

Throughout his life, Mr. Kitts was an avid sports fan, who also enjoyed gardening, music, trips to the Poconos and the Jersey Shore.

“He was a good provider and a strong father who was always there for us,” said his son, Charles.

He was a parishioner of St. Rita’s R.C. Church, Meiers Corners.

His wife of 62 years, the former Anna Cornette, died in 2005.

Surviving are four sons, Charles, Richard, Thomas and John; nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Rita’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Brighton.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.