March 29, 1932 — June 29, 2014

Al Garritano, 82, of Dowagiac, died at 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on March 29, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois to Antonio and Carmela (Malito) Garritano. He was graduated from Dowagiac High School, and has lived in Dowagiac most of his life.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving as a Corporal serving in the United States Army. He had a long and respected career representing the Golden Harvest Seed Company. He also was associated with O’s Gold Seed Company.

Al was a member of the Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose #933 and the B.P.O.of Dowagiac Elks #889. He served on the Wayne Township Review Board, and participated with the Cass County Council on Aging. He enjoyed caring for his yard, especially mowing the lawn to golf course standards.

On Nov. 2, 1957, in Dowagiac he married the former Lorna F. Gordon with whom he celebrated the 55th anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Feb. 19, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Joe Garritano who died on Jan. 18, 2009, and a sister-in-law, Carol (Mrs. Arnie) Garritano who died on April 6, 2010.

Surviving family includes his children, John (Stacey) Garritano of Cassopolis, Michigan, Carmela (& Bartlomiej Plichta) Garritano of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Jason (Dawn) Garritano of Stevensville, Michigan; grandchildren Sara and Ashley, Kiana, Devin, Tayah, Raven, and Isabella, and Mikolaj; and Al’s sisters and brothers, Esther Pilot and Mary (Richard) Chappel, both of Berrien Springs, Michigan, Victor (Joan) Garritano of Niles, Michigan, and Arnie Garritano of Dowagiac; and Al’s companion, Betty Phillips of Dowagiac.

The memorial mass for Albert Garritano will be celebrated at noon on Friday, July 11, 2014, at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. Kevin Covert of the parish.

Following the mass, full military honors will be offered in the churchyard by the United States Army Honor Guard and the American Legion. Committal Rites will be later, privately, at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

The family of Al Garritano will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday. Contributions in memory of Al may be made to the Cass County Council on Aging for Parkinson’s Awareness.

www.halbritterfunerals.com