Fred Fitts
March 1, 2018

FITTS, Fred Warren

Wednesday, March 1, 2018, Fred Warren Fitts passed away surrounded by his loving family having lost his brave battle with cancer. Born in Rockland, Massachusetts June 15, 1929; Freddie, as many of his friends called him, moved south to St. Petersburg in the middle 1950’s and was employed by the Milton Roy Co. as a draftsman. Much of his drafting projects were centered around the company’s production of the first artificial kidney machines. His extensive artistic talents enabled him to create technical illustrations used to train technicians in the growing field of hemodialysis. If it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, Freddie’s illustrations were worth 2,000 to those learning this new medical field. Outside of work, Freddie enjoyed bowling and visiting Las Vegas. When in Las Vegas, he would send postcards back to his friends using custom handmade full color address labels for every individual. Even the postman took notice. As secretary of his bowling league, his weekly league bulletins were considered things of beauty. When Freddie didn’t have a pen in hand, he had his camera. He was famous at work for taking pictures of his fellow employees at company events and then, long before photoshop existed, modifying the photos by hand to create funny situations. The photo would appear on your desk a few days later. Having Freddie as a friend made your world a brighter place and he will be sorely missed. Fred was preceded in death by his first wife, Florence. Survived by his wife, Diane Fitts; sister, Gloria Potter; three children, sons, Michael Fitts and Steven Fitts; daughter, Melanie Watkinson; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren with and one on the way, One great-great-grandchild and one on the way. The memorial will be held Sunday, March 25, 2018 at the Country Place Village Clubhouse, 2601 Country Place Blvd., New Port Richey, Florida 34655. Finger foods and snacks will be provided and all his friends and family are welcome to remember and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in remembrance of Fred Fitts.