Larry Matthew Bitler

Larry Matthew Bitler, known to friends and family as Matthew, was born to Ann (Wells) Bitler and Matthew Bitler on April 4, 1938, in Birdsboro, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Larry's father, also known as Matthew, worked at the time in a local grocery store owned and operated by the Bitler family. Larry's mother Ann was a housewife. Larry was the couple's only child.  

In 1955, at the age of 17, Larry left high school before graduating to enlist in the United States Army. His mother Ann signed a parental permission form so that he could enter at that young age. Larry earned his GED diploma while enlisted. He served as a messenger in Army Security and as a truck driver in the motor pool. Larry was honorably discharged in 1959, having achieved the rank of Corporal.

 In the early 1960's Larry worked a series of jobs, including a stint as a milk man delivering dairy products door-to-door, while hoping to obtain a position with the U.S. Postal Service. Ultimately, he was hired by the Postal Service as a mailman in Lowell, Massachusetts. Larry worked as a mailman in Lowell until he was forced to retire due to a disability in 1987. 

While stationed by the U.S. Army in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Larry met Anne-Marie McGowan of Lowell. They were married in June 1956. The marriage produced five children. Larry and Anne-Marie divorced in 1996.  

Larry spent the next few years as a single man until he met Claudette Allard of Manchester, New Hampshire. The two were married in 2007, a loving union that ended only with Larry's death from pneumonia on January 24, 2025. 

Larry Matthew Bitler is survived by his widow Claudette, as well as the two sons and three daughters from his first marriage and their spouses: Thomas and Antonia Bitler, David and Victoria Bitler, Lauren Reilly, Leanne and Tory Sciaca, and Dr. Melissa and Dr. Larry Sarnar. Larry is also survived by ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition, Larry is survived by Claudette's children from a previous marriage, for whom he felt great affection: Dominique Allard, Sylvie Allard, Natalie Allard-Arell, and Alan Allard. 

Special mention to Matt and Milo.  

 MAY HE REST IN PEACE 

A celebration of life is scheduled on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10am at the Sacred Heart Church located at 265 South Main St., Manchester, NH 03102.