Local architect John J. de Vitry, 89, breathed his last at home on Feb. 23rd.

Born in France, on June 16, 1935, he was the youngest child of Pierre de Vitry and Anne de la Blanchetai. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 6, arriving in New York with his mother and 5 siblings to join his father and oldest brother in Bainbridge, PA.

His first architectural endeavor, at age 14, was exposing the beams of his father's old stone farmhouse. He went on to major in structural engineering at Notre Dame and volunteered with Dr. Tom Dooley in Laos, where he designed a small village hospital for Nam Thah. But he then changed  direction, earning an architectural degree at Catholic University of Washington, DC.

In 1965, he helped form the Marietta Restoration Association, renovating many homes first in  Marietta and then in Lancaster, including noteworthy Old Town. Other special projects in Lancaster include Steeple House Square, the Lancaster Arts Hotel, and Magnolia Place. He spent years working in NYC with SITE, and at Expo 86 in Vancouver and Expo 92 in Seville.

John is survived by his wife of 36 years, Macu de Vitry of Lancaster; his children, Joan, Karen Carr [Timothy], Andrew, Anne Barge [Gregory], Gregory [Gina], Emily Mendez [Michael], and David; 25 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

John was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, four sisters, and a grandson.

Arrangements are private, at the convenience of the family.