Brian J. Wittig Enrichment Memorial Fund

About Brian J. Wittig

Brian was the first of five children of Herman and Doris Wittig.  He was raised in Milmont Park, PA and attended Our Lady of Peace grade school and served as an altar boy in Our Lady of Peace Parish.  Brian graduated from St. James High School in Chester, PA and served as President of Student Council. He graduated from Penn State University and was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity.  Brian was loving and devoted husband to Eileen (Quinter) for 35 years.  They are the proud parents of Brian, Kevin, Rene’ and Christopher.  Brian was blessed to spend time with his grandson, Cameron.  Brian’s professional career in the lighting industry took them to Duxbury, MA for a number of years and then they returned with their family to Newton, PA where they have lived for the past twenty-five years.

Brian had a very successful career in the lighting industry spending over thirty years in the manufacturing sector as Vice President for Cooper Lighting and the Juno Lighting Group. Brian was very well respected for his leadership and overall ability to foster teamwork and motivating his staff towards reaching individual excellence. A devout Catholic, Brian was committed to his church community, his family and friends. While raising his family of four, Brian volunteered to coach several basketball and baseball teams in both church and community leagues. He was very active in alumni activities for both his high school and Penn State. He was a loving, caring and giving gentleman and was a self-less mentor to many. Brian encouraged his children to be self-sufficient and independent, constantly counseling them to be courageous and honorable in their own lives.

Brian was a devoted family man who managed to effortlessly create the perfect balance for his career and family. Brian was most proud of his special niece, Grace Quinter. Grace was born with Down syndrome. They had a wonderful connection. He admired the happiness and joy Grace brought into all of our lives with her determination and spunk in never letting anything stop her from giving her best effort.

Our lives will continue to be blessed and enriched with the spirit, love and happiness that Brian demonstrated in his daily life. To honor Brian’s legacy, the family wishes to support other individuals “to empower all to live a life of significance with grace and dignity”.

Fund History
The Enrichment Fund was established by the Wittig and Quinter families to honor Brian J. Wittig, who passed away on December 29, 2011. Brian had a very special relationship with his niece, Grace, who has Down syndrome. The mission of the Brian J. Wittig memorial Enrichment Fund is to offer financial assistance to individuals with Down syndrome and their families to empower all to live a life of significance with grace and dignity.

Target Distribution of Funds

Families may request funds for individuals in their immediate family who have Down syndrome. Families should be current members of the EPDSC and live within a reasonable geographic area. In the first year, we anticipate distributing $10,000 and will make every effort to replenish the fund annually in the fall. Funds will be sent directly to the vendor providing services or with proper documentation to the family.

Review and Approvals

The selection committee will meet monthly to review and approve requests. Requests should be submitted by the first of the month for review on the 15th.  For example: We would like to have requests by June 1st for review on June 15th.  We will notify the families by the end of each month. Requests can be made online by clicking here or the link below. The Center will distribute all new requests to committee members.  

***Only one request per family per calendar year.

Notification to Families
The EPDSC will notify families once the award has been determined. The committee members reserve the right to determine the appropriate award amount.

EPDSC
The EPDSC is proud to have been chosen to facilitate and administer the Brian J Wittig Memorial Enrichment Fund that will benefit individuals with Down syndrome and provide opportunities to enhance their quality of life.

Online request form found here.