Fritz Lang

HOPEWELL JUNCTION - Fritz Lang, 87, an area resident since 1974, died on July 25, 2025 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. He previously lived in New Rochelle.

Born in Germany on July 3, 1938, Fritz was the son of the late Joseph and Maria (Trapp) Lang. He immigrated to the United States in 1962.

He was trained in Germany as a Cabinet Maker. He founded the Frilan Corporation in New Rochelle in1964 selling wholesale lumber and custom-built houses. He later joined Niehaus Building Systems as a superintendent and oversaw construction of many churches up and down the East Coast. Locally his work included construction of the Salvation Army Church in Poughkeepsie and the renovated Hopewell Reformed Church. He retired as the owner of Lang Contracting.

He enjoyed acting as a young man in Germany and continued his pursuit in America. He appeared as an extra in films including "A Bronx Tale" and "Quiz Show," and episodes of Law and Order. He was also featured in several music videos. He authored two autobiographies about his life before and after immigrating to America titled "Chasing My Dreams" and "A Life Lived Through My Eyes". He enjoyed travelling to the West Coast and Europe as well as going to Casinos and the Saratoga Racetrack. During his retirement years, he loved spending his winters at his ocean front condo in Maui, Hawaii. In addition, he was a member of the Germania Club of Poughkeepsie.

Fritz is survived by his son, Darren Lang of Maui, HI; his sister, Liselotte "Lilo" Engelke and her husband Fred of Hopewell Junction; his nephew and his wife, Walter and Lisa Engelke of Hopewell Junction; and many nephews and nieces in Germany. In addition to his parents, Fritz was also predeceased by his siblings, Josef Lang, Marianne Seifert, Ingeborg Smith, and Erika Kretschmar.