Obituary: Jonathan H. Bitman

Jonathan H. Bitman, 52, of Little Silver, died Tuesday, Sept. 4 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank after a courageous battle with cancer. Jon had a strong sense of community and an even stronger love for his family and friends.

Born in Newark to Edward and Sonya Lazerwitz Bitman, he was raised in Millburn. He attended Kean University and played semi-pro football for the Jersey Oaks. Jon has been a resident of Monmouth County for the past 28 years, and in Little Silver for 18 of those years.

He was a Little Silver Councilman from 2003 to 2012. While he was a councilman, he was active on many committees, among them were the Little Silver Public Works, Fire, First Aid and Newsletter and Police and Emergency Preparedness. He also served as liaison to the Little Silver Cross Acceptance, Parker Homestead House and the Capital Fund Project. Jon also served a Planning Board Chairperson.

Jon was a 20-year employee of Eaton Corporation before joining his current employer, Charles B. Hembling and Son in Shrewsbury, as chief estimator in February 2005.

Jon had many passions, one of which was volunteering with the New Jersey Special Olympics. He especially enjoyed sharing his devotion to this organization with his two daughters.

Jon had a wonderful sense of humor, and nothing brought him more pleasure than making his friends and family laugh. He brought this sense of humor to the stage, appearing in several local plays. Jon also enjoyed playing softball with the Little Silver CROCs. He was a generous friend and devoted husband and father.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his beloved wife of  28 years, Dale Mirabelli Bitman; beautiful and loving daughters, Jordan and Cori; his mother, Sunny Lazerwitz Bitman, sisters; Carole Leone and her husband Adrian Gresnigt of South Orange, Harley Hanarahan and her husband Jim of Manhattan and Paige Ascher and her husband Russ of Maplewood. Seven nieces, Tiffany, Jenna, Margaux, Carissa, Olivia, Dagny and Brett and one nephew, Jay.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Sept. 7 from 4-8 p.m. at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at Webster Hall, 255 Harding Rd., Red Bank.  Interment will follow at the Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations in Jon's memory to the Special Olympics NJ, 3 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 or the Special Olympics NJ Web site.

Please visit Jon's memorial website available at the John E. Day Funeral Home Web site.

The preceding was provided by John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank.