Jeffrey A Armitage

Jeffrey "Butchie" A. Armitage, 66 of Poland, Ohio passed away at 3:53 a.m., Sunday, February 17, 2008 at his home from cancer; he was surrounded by his loving family and friends. Mr. Armitage was born on November 13, 1941, in Gardner, Maine the son of Joe H. and Jessie (Haddon) Armitage.

Butchie was very athletically inclined. At the age of 16 he was the boxing champ of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and won the Golden Gloves award. He was also a life guard at Pierce Island Pool and was awarded many ribbons for diving and swimming competitions. He really enjoyed baseball and was scouted by the Boston Red Sox. Butchie continued to play many sports, especially baseball for many years. Butchie attended Portsmouth High School, New Hampshire. He worked as an electrician with U.S. Steel and then National Refractories, from where he retired.

Mr. Armitage was a member of the U.S. Army. He earned his parachute Badge and served with "C" Co. 173rd Airborne Brigade 2/503 during the Vietnam War from 1965-1966 as an infantry medic. He also received the Combat Medical Badge, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Expert Rifle Badge, Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged. Butchie was a member of V.F.W. Post 892.

Butchie is survived by his wife, the former Billie Gurd, whom he married January 22, 2000. Mr. Armitage is also survived by three daughters; Lorrene J. (Rodney) Allen of China Grove, North Carolina, Jessie R. (Dave) Haybarger of Poland, Kristen A. (John) Rossetti of Youngstown, two sons; Jeffrey J. Armitage of Poland, Michael D. DiBase of Virginia, five sisters; Janice O'Neil of Bangor, Maine, Glenda Tarr of Bangor, Maine, Lucy (Florido) Pirini of Kittery, Maine, Jessie (Dale) Shook of Bay City, Michigan, Pamela (Charles) Copponi of Spring Hill, Florida and seven grandchildren; Kai Loni R. Rossetti, John M. Rossetti, Cori L. McCreery, Catie L. McCreery, David J. Haybarger III, Loyd D. Painter and Michael A. Allen. Jeffrey was preceded in death by his parents; Joe and Jessie Armitage, two brothers; Fred Merrithew and George Merrithew, three sisters; Dolly Cormier, Gloria Buckley and Louise Merrithew.

Calling hours will be held at 9:00a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Idaho Road Alliance Church in Austintown; followed by a Memorial service at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Philip Engle officiating: The interment of cremains will take place in Lake Park Cemetery (section U), where a Military Honors Service will be held.

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