Obituary of Charles Bitter

Charles James Bitter, 45, of St. Petersburg, Fl. passed away, quite unexpectedly, on Monday December 12, 2011. Charles, or Charlie as many knew him, was born on October 20, 1966, in Newark, N.J. Charlie was raised in Toms River, N.J. and attended St. Joseph's Grammar School and Msgr. Donovan High School. He went on to attend Stockton State College and Central Florida University where he earned a degree in Information Technology. He has resided in St. Petersburg for the last 13 years. Charlie was best known for being a large but gentle man. Towering at nearly 6'6" and at many points an avid weight lifter, he was a powerful man with a never ending smile and was always joking and kidding with others. Charlie enjoyed life on a large scale, whether it was skiing and snowmobiling in the Rockies or whitewater rafting on the most challenging of rivers. He loved boating and could often be found racing around the Gulf. He had been employed as an I.T. Project Manager at the SWFWMD and most recently was employed by eMason in Pinellas Park. He is survived by his parents, Richard L., Sr. and Joan Bitter of Toms River, brother Richard L. Jr. of Valois, N.Y. sisters Laura Bitter or Jackson, N.J, Patricia (Sal) Pero of Vero Beach, Fla., and Maryellen "Mimi" (Jim) Wulfekotte of Brick, N.J.. "Unky," as he is known to them, was extremely loved by his many nieces and nephews, Daniel Kimball, Richard Bitter III, Alicia Call, James and Jody Shinn, Matthew, Abby, Jesse, Patrick, and Alex Wulfekotte, Jill Sirovich, Chelsea Campbell, Brian Campbell, Jordan and Noah Kimball, and Richard Bitter IV. He is also survived by his fiancé Deanne Robinson and her daughter, Kendal, and a very special friend, Rhyan Cross. Charlie enjoyed a large circle of close friends whom he cherished and maintained several close and lifelong friendships. There will be a visitation on Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 6 until 9pm at the funeral home