Alan Pitegoff, D.D.S

October 26, 1940 ~ March 20, 2024

PITEGOFF, Alan, D.D.S., age 83, passed away peacefully at home, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. He was a graduate of Newtown High School in Queens, winning the high school musical award for his outstanding performances on the baritone sax, tenor sax and clarinet.  He continued to play and perform music while attending college at Adelphi University.  He formed a band, "The Stardusters", and played weekend weddings, bar mitzvahs, summer retreats and church functions. Music was his passion throughout his life as he continued to play saxophone for both the Pine Bush Community Band and Orange County College Band.

In addition to his gifted musical talents, Alan was an accomplished athlete. He won the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Squash Championship while attending Adelphi University and then turned his attention to tennis and racquetball, excelling in both. He loved skiing in the winter, boating and fishing in the summer, and working in the yard. He golfed incessantly and even had a dog named Hogan.

Alan served as a Captain in the United States Army immediately upon graduating from NYU School of Dentistry. He was stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri, before serving his country overseas in Vietnam. Upon his return from military service, Alan opened his dental practice in Washingtonville, New York, where he practiced family dentistry for 50 years, retiring at age 79. He was a friendly and gentle dentist who loved people and his profession.

Those of us who knew Alan personally, saw him fight through his diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that took his strength over the years. However, he never let the disease defeat his will. He continued to swing his golf clubs and practice dentistry regardless of his physical obstacles.   His tragic diagnosis of Alzheimer's in these most recent years may have wiped his memory, but it never wiped his spirit.  Alan was a fighter to the end and his life was full and beautiful. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Pitegoff, his sons Jeffrey and David Pitegoff and his step-children, Dayna Diamond and Eric Crawford, as well as his six grandchildren, Kianna, Jaron, Drew, Reese, Jonah and Arlo.

Funeral services will be held graveside for family only. If desired, friends may make memorial donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.