Susan Fish

Susan Carolyn Fish, aged 87, passed peacefully on May 27, 2025 with her beloved husband by her side. She was born June 30, 1937 and raised in Endicott, NY.
After college, she began working at IBM. Susan married Joseph "Joe" J. Kuntz, Jr. with whom she had three children. In 1970, the family moved to Boca Raton, FL when Joe was transferred.
Susan was an involved and active mother, with many interests. When her children were teenagers and young adults and her marriage to Joe ended, she went back to school at Florida Atlantic University to earn her Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology. She then spent many years as an academic advisor in FAU's Ocean Engineering department.
Susan truly loved nature and the sea. Dubbed the "Turtle Lady of Boca Raton", she worked as a park ranger counting and protecting sea turtle nests. She was also an avid scuba diver, regularly going on diving trips with friends. With her son Joe, she scouted dive spots and then published and sold a yearly guide for divers.
After retirement, she reconnected with Raymond Niznik, whom she had first met when she was sixteen and he was twenty-one. A true love story for the ages, Susan and Raymond were married in 2003. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Gainesville, FL where she would reside for the rest of her life. In her later years, Susan was a dedicated gardener, explored new recipes, and enjoyed making jewelry. She loved spending time with friends and family, especially her granddaughters. Susan was involved with Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for many years, where she was an active member of Saint Elizabeth Circle.
Susan is preceded in death by her parents, William A. and Helen E. Fish, her brother William "Bill" Fish, her daughter Brenda S. Kuntz, and daughter-in-law Debra Rittinger.
She is survived by her husband Raymond S. Niznik, son Joseph "Joe" J. Kuntz III, son William "Bill" S. Kuntz (Jennifer), and grandchildren Makayla (Daulton), Emily, and Claire. Susan will be truly missed and memories of her deeply cherished by many.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 NE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care (https://www.communityhospice.com/) or Saint Elizabeth Circle of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Gainesville.