Richard T. Fritsch

FRITSCH, Richard T.

Richard T. Fritsch, 90, of West Hartford, beloved husband of Harriett (Johnson) Fritsch, died Monday (December 29, 2003). He was born in Hartford, a son of the late Peter and Beatrice (Hartung) Fritsch and resided in Newington for most of his life, spending ten years in Cape Coral, FL before returning to West Hartford. He was a member of the CT Horse Guard Cavalry, Troop B in 1936, the West Hartford Squires and played softball with St. Mary's Church for many years. He was an avid golfer, and a former member of the Indian Hill Country Club in Newington and the Cape Coral Country Club of Florida. In 1978 he was the Central CT Golf Champion and in 1983 was the Cape Coral Florida Golf Champion. Richard was a World War II U.S. Army veteran serving in both the European and Pacific Theatres as well as the Panama Canal and a member of the VFW Post 09836 of Newington. In his early years he worked with his father in the auto body business and later owned and operated the South Street Auto Body Shop in Elmwood for several years. He also had been employed by the United Weld and Mfg. Co. and retired as an appraiser from the Heico Insurance Adjustors. Besides his wife Harriett, Richard is survived by his beloved children, Valerie Russo and her husband Dane, of Newington, Peter L. Fritsch and his wife Deborah Rice, of Marlborough, and Richard J. Fritsch and his wife Kimberly, of East Hartford; his grandchildren, Craig Discenza, of Newington, Brett Russo, of Wethersfield, Peter Russo, of West Hartford, Alana Fritsch and Thomas Fritsch, both of Marlborough, Richard T. Fritsch, II, Kyleen Fritsch, and Rachel Fritsch, all of East Hartford; a great-grandson, Craig Taylor Discenza, III; his brother, Robert Fritsch, of Marlborough; and several nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his first wife, Marie (Golden) Fritsch and a brother, Noel Fritsch. The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Bel-Air Manor Nursing and Rehab Ctr. for their loving care of Richie. His funeral services will be held Saturday, 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Rd., Wethersfield, with the Rev. Hugh R.B. Haffenreffer officiating, followed by Full Military Honors. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends are invited to call Friday, 4-7 p.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Memorial donations may be made to Joan Haines/Wethersfield Stroke Club, 516 Highland St., Wethersfield, CT 06109 or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Rd., Wethersfield, CT 06109.