James R. "Jim" Piteri, 89, died July 19, 2006, at Hester Care Center, Wesley Towers.

He was born Sept. 10, 1916, in Watertown, Mass., the son of Carmine and Josephine Bartilotti Piteri. A Hutchinson resident since 1957, after his retirement from Major rank in the U.S. Army, he and his wife owned and operated City Beverage Co. Hutchinson.

He belonged to Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, and was a member of American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68, Bob Campbell VFW Post No. 1361, Knights of Columbus, Retired Officers Association of the U.S. Army, and formerly of the Elks Lodge. He served in the OSS in Europe during World War II and then served in Korea.

On Sept. 1, 1949, he married Vivian Felt in Anchorage, Alaska. She survives.

Other survivors include: two brothers, John and Michael Piteri, Watertown, Mass.; two sisters, Louise Scalese, Watertown, Mass., and Susan Stagliano, Hudson, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph and Tom Piteri; and a sister, Rose Mazzei.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Hutchinson. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis, with Father Joseph Eckberg and Father Francis Cox presiding, with military graveside rites conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson, Hospice Care of Kansas, or the donor's choice, all in care of the funeral home, Hutchinson. Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.