Charles W. Pettit, Jr., passed away on December 18, 2012 in Eastern Niagara Hospital, Lockport. Charles was born on May 13, 1933 to Charles W. Pettit and Helen Ruth Boss Pettit at Deaconess Hospital, Buffalo, New York.

He attended Academy Street Elementary School and Williamsville Central and graduated from University of Buffalo in 1974 with a B.S. Degree in Management Science. Mr. Pettit was a lifetime member of Theta Chi Fraternity, Gamma Pi Chapter at SUNY AB. He married his wife of 55 years, Gail Dorothy Adams Pettit, in July of 1957.

Charles was employed by Bell Aircraft Corp., from January, 1954 until 1983. He was President, Treasurer and Director of Bell Aerospace Management Assoc. 1979-1981. He moved to Marietta, GA in March of 1983 and was employed by Lockheed-Martin of GA Co., as an Office Management Analyst until his retirement in 1999. Was awarded membership to the Who's Who Worldwide by the Global Business Leaders in 1993-1994. After retirement from Lockheed, GA, Charles returned to his Aerospace interests in 2000 by serving as Chief Librarian of the Ira G. Ross Aerospace Museum in Niagara Falls, NY.

He was a member of Niagara Lodge #375 F&AM, Lockport, NY, and Henry Banks #153, Royal Arch Lodge, Villa Rica, Ga., Royal Arch Ames Chapter #88, Lockport, NY and Allied Masonic Degrees, Niagara Chapter #101 and an Honorary Member of Charlotteville Lodge #73, Newfane, NY. He served as Grand Director of Ceremonies for the Niagara/Orleans District as Staff Officer for the Grand Lodge of Masons in New York (2004-2006). He was also appointed to the Leadership and Educational Services Committee for the State, to train Grand Lodge Officers and was a member of the Committee on Publications for the State of New York.

He is survived by his wife, Gail; children, Charles W. Pettit IV of Mt. Morris, Diane Elise (Joseph) Breczka of Middleport and Jean Noelle Pettit of Batavia; brothers of Robert P. (Patricia) Pettit, Alan D. (Sue) Pettit, Elise (Peter) Carpenter and the late Donald R. Pettit; sister-in-law June (Robert) Toth and Charlie's faithful companion, Murphy; grandfather of Charles W. Pettit, V, Bridget Ann Schmidt, Kelly Jo Breczka, Lindsey Gail Breczka, and James Breczka. Also survived by his great-grandson, Travis Hix and by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call on Saturday, December 22, 2012 from 10-11 AM in Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, where services will immediately follow at 11 AM. Memorials to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, would be appreciated by the family.

Visitation

Relatives and friends may call on Saturday, December 22, 2012 from 10-11 AM.

Services

Services will immediately follow at 11 AM.