Frits Isham

George Fredrick Isham (Frits) left this life on 30 December 2022 at the age of 86.

Frits was born in Watertown, NY and was raised on the Isham family's dairy farm in the township of Rodman, NY.

After graduating from St. Lawrence University in 1959, he married his college sweetheart, Sancy. Frits was in the ROTC in school and served as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation. He was stationed in Butzbach, Germany for 3 years. Frits and Sancy lived in Germany until Frits completed his service in 1964. Frits' first job after the Army was with Shell Oil in Greensboro, NC. He and Sancy stayed in the Mid-Atlantic region, moving to Richmond and finally Newport News, where they lived for 45 years. Frits was a self-employed accountant from 1974 until his retirement in 2014.

Since he was a boy, Frits had a love for flying and sailing. He and Sancy lived a good part of their life together racing or cruising sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay. They both loved their BBSA and HYC sailing buddies. Sailing the local waters and east coast was a lifetime delight.

Frits was known for his wry sense of humor. He was a man of few words, but had great affection for his family and friends.

Frits is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sancy and his brother, Robert.

He is survived by his sister Alida Millham (Peter) of Laconia, NH; his children Jonathan (Cheri) of Newport News, Barbara (Jesus) Lizarzaburu of Yorktown, and Jennifer Maxwell of Fredericksburg; his grandchildren Kaitlin and Evan Isham, Louis and Stefan Lizarzaburu, and Emily and Caroline Maxwell. Frits is also fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews.

A memorial date has not been set.