Edmund Harold Bitz

Edmund (Ed) Bitz of Saskatoon passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Thursday, July 26, 2018.  Ed was born at Wilkie, SK on November 20, 1929 to Longinus and Rose Bitz. He is survived by his loving wife Helen of 67 years, his son Leslie (Anita) and grandchildren Cooper (Casey), Dieter and Elyce; son Sheldon (Patricia) and grandchildren Lori (Leif) Johansen and great grandchildren Erik and Greta,   and Amanda (Andrew) Lemon and great grandchildren Leela, Phoebe and Ren; son Trent (Bonnie) and grandchildren Logan, Graeme and Ryland. He is also survived by one brother Eugene of Stony Plain AB, and sisters Rose Marie, Victoria and Doreen  all of British Columbia. He was predeceased by his mother (1964), his father  (1993),  his sister Vivian  (1980), brother  Donald (1982) and sister Evelyn (2009).

Ed grew up and took his entire elementary and high school education with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Leipzig. He entered the teaching profession in 1948 and retired in 1983 after 35 years service. Sports played a large part in Ed’s life. He played hockey, baseball and softball. He then took up officiating and became Softball Canada’s first National Umpire-in-Chief in 1972, a position which he held until 1984. During this time he attended numerous National and World Championships as a supervisor or official. For his efforts he was recognized as one of Saskatoon’s 100 sports builders in 1982. He was inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, the Canadian Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 1991, the International Softball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Cathedral on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 10:30 am followed by a reception prior to interment at Hillcrest Cemetery.