John R. “Chip” Witte Jr., 78, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte.

He was born July 10, 1934, in Quincy, Mass., to John R. Witte and Helga Neilsen Witte.

John served in the U.S. Marines from 1952 until 1953; the U.S. Army from 1956 until 1959; and the Army Reserve from 1959 until 1963. He was a graduate of the Connecticut State Police Academy, and was a resident State Trooper in Cromwell, Conn., from 1964 until 1974. John was a detective with the Connecticut State Police Department, major crime squad in Meriden, Conn., from 1974 until 1984, retiring in 1984 after 22 years of service. John Moved to Port Charlotte in 1984, and worked with the grounds crew at Charlotte County Stadium with the Texas Rangers. He was a member of the Marine Corps Association, Masonic Lodge 81 of Cromwell; American Legion Post 110 of Port Charlotte; Moose Lodge 2121 of Port Charlotte; VFW of Port Charlotte; and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3296 of Charlotte Harbor, Fla.

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah (Timothy) Woodcock of Connecticut; his son, John Witte, also of Connecticut; and grandchildren, Nicole, Joseph and Melissa Woodcock of Connecticut, and Chelsea Witte of Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy E. Witte, who passed away in January 2009; and his parents, John and Helga Witte.

Memorial Services will be scheduled at a later date in Connecticut. Donations in his memory may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238-5188. Please visit the online tribute for John at www.kays-ponger.com.

Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Port Charlotte Chapel.