Brent Raymond Bittner, 51, gained his wings on Friday, April 6, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
He went home to God and his Pops, peacefully at home, with his devoted wife Liz by his side. Brent always looked on the bright side of every challenge and appreciated God’s many blessings in his rich and beautiful life. He had a way of talking to anyone and making them feel like a friend.
Born in St. Mary’s, PA, on August 14, 1966, he was the son of the late Dean R. Bittner of Johnstown, PA, Patricia L. (Krug) Bittner Popson of Nicktown, PA, and his best buddy Joseph F. Popson of Clymer.
Family, education, athletics, volunteer work, and pie were all important to Brent. He graduated from St. Mary’s Area High School class of 1985. Throughout high school and college, Brent played football and threw shot put and javelin. At Juniata College, he graduated with a B.S. in Finance in 1989. Later on, Brent earned his MBA from York College of Pennsylvania in 2005. Brent worked hard to pursue his ambitions earning his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designations throughout his 28-year career in the commercial insurance industry. Brent held various analytical, sales, and management positions for several insurance companies. He also served as the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary for the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of CPCU. In addition, Brent was a member of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. In his spare time, Brent typically volunteered by helping the youth in Baltimore via Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Junior Achievement.
Despite these notable accomplishments, Brent’s real joy was his family. On November 14, 1992, he married Elizabeth S. Fry at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church where they recently celebrated their silver anniversary with family and friends. An avid hunter (bagged a 10-point in October!) and a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, he loved sports and coached his daughters’ and son’s parochial school basketball teams for eight years while he was Athletic Director for the St. Patrick’s Athletic Association. For four years, he coached his son Adam’s Yorktowne Patriots football team. Brent continued to support Adam in football, marking downs with the chain gang for York Catholic High School. Over the years, Brent ran many charity 5K’s and most recently graduated from the YMCA’s Livestrong Program.
Brent is survived by his cherished wife Liz of 25 years, three adored children, Katherine Grace (23), Megan Elizabeth (21), and Adam Christopher (19), beloved lab Molly (12) and “tolerable” Berner Samson (1); two brothers, Brad (Nancy) and Neil (Rachel) and a sister Deena (Tim); nieces and nephews Kayla, Ty, Alyssa, Hannah, Joseph, Nathaniel, Phillip, Jennifer, Steven, Sarah, Alex, Aiden, and Avery; step-siblings Steven (Mary Lou), Joseph (Sherrie), and Kathryn; godparents Curt (deceased) and Rose Wirfel and many other loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Viewings will be 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at John W. Keffer Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. 2114 West Market St., York, and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Church 231 S. Beaver St., York. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Keith Carroll and Rev. Jonathan Sawicki as celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to the York Catholic Athletic Association.