Ray Bittner, 85, made career in garment industry
January 13, 2022
Raymond F. Bittner of Pawleys Island died Sunday with his wife by his side. He was 85.
Known as Ray, he was born Jan. 13, 1937, in Queens, N.Y., the son of Raymond and Grace Bittner. He traveled his whole life.
He graduated from high school in the morning and joined the Army in the afternoon. The Army promised to teach him photography, but instead sent him to Le Havre, France, where he was assigned to the engineers company, building roads and bridges.
After leaving the Army in the late 1950s, Mr. Bittner worked as a traveling salesman in the garment industry. For more than 50 years he worked in the men’s garment business as a salesman, a merchandiser and designer. He was a marketing director, president and CEO of various fashion companies. He traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, sometimes going around the world four times a year.
Mr. Bittner loved living and working in New York, but retired to Pawleys Island in 1997.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sarah A. Johnson; his son, Shawn Bittner of Morristown, N.J.; his brother, Dennis Bittner (Sandy) of Mountville, Pa.; his sister, Roberta Newton (John) of Millersville, Pa.; his sister-in-law, Sue Bittner of Miller Place, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.
Three other brothers, Ron, Michael and Robert Bittner, died before him.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
