James Carrington Pitney ’48

Jim Pitney, president of the Class of 1948 from 1978 to 1983, fell while working on his boat in Maine, never regained consciousness, and died Aug. 27, 2006. It was the final chapter in his great love of the sea and of sailing.

Jim, a tower of strength in our class who was held in great respect and affection, came to us from St. Mark's School in Massachusetts. At Princeton he played baseball, was in Cap and Gown, and graduated with honors in S.P.I.A. Jim took great pride in his Princeton provenance; his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Henry Pitney 1848, preceded him to "the best old place of all." His son, Jamie '71, and three grandchildren are Princeton graduates.

Jim served the law profession for 50 years. His first assignment was clerking for William J. Brennan of the New Jersey Supreme Court (later a member of the U.S. Supreme Court).

The great love of his life was Mimi, his wife for 59 years. His three sons and eight grandchildren were the joy and pride of his life. A great sadness for Mimi and Jim was the 1974 death of their lovely daughter, Theodora, after a long illness. Theodora had been accepted to the Class of 1978.

To Mimi, Jim's sons, and grandchildren, the class expresses its condolences.