This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: BILOTTA, HUITT, BURKE, BREINLINGER Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22795/mb.ashx Message Board Post: BILOTTA, Arthur Arthur Bilotta went to be with the Lord on May 1, 2008 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He will be greatly missed and will remain in our hearts forever. Arthur was the beloved husband of Sally Huitt Bilotta for 52 years. Arthur leaves behind his two brothers, William and Joseph Bilotta; four children; 14 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. His children and their spouses are, Bill and Dale Bilotta of Marietta, Georgia, Sally and Edward Burke of Temecula, California, Sandy and Arthur Breinlinger of Huntsville, Alabama and Arthur and Olga Bilotta of Melbourne, Florida. Arthur was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, to William (Vito) and Edith Bilotta. After graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and was a Sea Bee during the Korean Conflict. After completing his tour of duty, he went to the University of Miami where he met his wife, Sally Huitt. They were married in January of 1956. To support his family while going to school, Arthur worked as a Miami ! police officer. Upon graduating from Miami University he started his long and decorated career in aerospace that spanned from B-52's to NASA's inclusion of the Mercury and Space Shuttle programs. His first job after graduating was at Warner-Robbins Air Force Base. He worked as an Industrial Engineer for one of the first upgrades to the B-52. He then took a job with NASA at Cape Canaveral. After retiring from NASA, he could only stay out of aerospace a few years before accepting a position with Martin Marietta. This required him to move from Florida to California, where he worked on the west coast Space Shuttle program at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Arthur was recruited to work for 'Vitro Aerospace Company' in Washington D.C., after retiring from Martin Marietta. Arthur worked with Vitro to increase safety in the space industry. After retiring from Vitro, he and his wife Sally moved back to Cocoa Beach, Florida. In 1991, they moved to Hendersonville, North Carol! ina to continue their retirement. Arthur was always involved in his co mmunity; He helped in many ways, from being a policeman to coaching little league teams, and even Guardian Ad Litem programs. Having played semi-pro baseball in his younger days, he loved and coached baseball for many years. He led his team to the playoffs almost every season. Arthur became president of the league and he convinced the city of Cocoa Beach to donate land for new fields. He personally created the layouts and all of the drawings to minimize the cost to the league and the city. He later worked as a Guardian Ad Litem representative where he became an advocate who represented the best interests of abused and neglected children. Arthur will be remembered as a man of great integrity who was devoted to his family. Arthur was well liked by all that he encountered, and he will be greatly missed by family and friends. His memorial service was held Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, in the Wing Chapel. Donations may be made to: Four Seasons ! Hospice and Palliative Care, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements. An online register book is available at www.thosshepherd.com. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 5/14/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.