Donald Francis Pitisci Passes Away at 91
Donald Francis Pitisci, M.D., the community’s very first pediatrician in Brandon, Florida, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the age of 91. Born on July 3, 1935, in Tampa to Ignazio and Grace Scolaro Pitisci, he built a medical career that spanned over 50 years of caring for children in the Tampa Bay area.
A private memorial service will be held in his honor, with family requesting that donations be made to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital or a charity of choice in lieu of flowers.
Donald Pitisci grew up in Ybor City
Throughout his days, Donald Pitisci held fast to his Ybor City upbringing, maintaining a lifelong fondness for homemade deviled crabs, fine guava pastries, and traditional Italian meals. While attending Memorial Junior High School, he met the love of his life, Kippy Noland. As a formidable competitor, he later graduated from Hillsborough High School, where he starred on the gridiron and served as co-captain for the 1953 All-City squad.
He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida before obtaining his Doctor of Medicine at Tulane University. Following the completion of his internship and residency training at Charity Hospital located in New Orleans, he headed back home to launch his Brandon medical practice.
Pitisci served in the Army and practiced medicine
His medical career was briefly put on hold when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He then went back to treating patients and spent more than five decades tending to the pediatric needs of families across the Tampa Bay region.
Away from his clinic, he served as an ordained elder and longtime member of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church while regularly donating his time to the Judeo Christian Health Clinic. Having learned the importance of diligence at an early age, the gentle and soft-spoken physician embodied that strong work ethic throughout his profession and successfully instilled it in his family members.
Family Life and Lasting Legacy
Above all else, he loved spending time with family, beginning with the Sunday spaghetti dinners of his childhood and continuing with Tuesday family lunches at his home. He enjoyed his regular Thursday golf games with his buddies, Dr. Bob Pesce, Dr. Jim Von Thron, and Dr. Galen Jones, and rarely missed Thursday night dinners with lifelong friends at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club alongside his wife, Kippy.
Survivors include Kippy Noland Pitisci, his wife of 66 years; his children, Teri Pitisci Castillo (Eric), Lee Pitisci (Pam), and Chris Pitisci (Ashley); his seven grandchildren, Cory Castillo (Ansley), Kippy Castillo Sanders (Nick), Paige Pitisci Trevino (James), Emory Pitisci (Miguel), Ryan Pitisci, Jordan Pitisci, and Connor Pitisci; his six great-grandchildren, Leighton, Anniston, Sutton, Brooks, Noah, and Chloe; his first cousins, Brenda Pitisci and Cynthia Vigo Castillo; alongside a wide circle of cherished relatives and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Donald Pitisci
When and where was Dr. Donald Pitisci born and raised?
Dr. Pitisci was born on July 3, 1935, in Tampa, Florida, to Ignazio and Grace Scolaro Pitisci, and was raised in Ybor City.
Where did Dr. Pitisci establish his pediatric practice?
After completing his education at the University of Florida and Tulane University, plus an internship and residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, he returned to Brandon to serve as the community’s very first pediatrician.
Where can memorial donations be sent in his honor?
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital or a charity of choice, as noted in notices published by Blount & Curry Life Event Center on MacDill Avenue.
Worth a look