William W. Fritz

WALLINGFORD - William W. Fritz, 78, of Yalesville, loving husband of the late State Representative, Mary (Sherry) Fritz, who he was married to for 52 years, passed away Sunday, May 13, 2018, at the home of his daughter with his family by his side.

He was born in Meriden on July 18, 1939, a son of the late Frank and Marjorie (Meyer) Fritz. Bill was a teacher, a civic leader, and a role model. After Bill graduated from Central Connecticut State College in 1961, he returned to his hometown to begin his career as an Industrial Arts teacher at Lyman Hall High School. In 1971, Bill crossed town to head the Industrial Arts Department at Sheehan, a position he would hold for the next 23 years. Bill advocated for the value of craftsmanship and creativity in the school system, and worked to help his students who were not college bound to get the most of their high school experience.

In 1976, he received the Community Service Award when he and his students constructed the Bicentennial Village at Community Lake, and in 1981 he received the Service Award from the Sheehan Booster Club when he initiated the Building and Grounds Program that taught students how to maintain the Sheehan facility. Bill and his students built many structures that can be still be found today, including the trophy cases outside of the Sheehan gymnasium and the structures in Pragemann Park.

In addition to teaching, Bill coached Sheehan baseball for five years and took over the Girls' basketball program for one year at Sheehan. A promoter of gender equity at Sheehan, Bill opened many programs within the Industrial Arts Department to female enrollment and set a precedent by hiring the first female coach in a male sport in Wallingford as an assistant coach of the Boys' baseball team. Bill also coached American Legion Baseball during the summers and many fondly remember the whiffle ball field and batting cages located in the Fritz's backyard. In his retirement, Bill was appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education by Governor Dannel Malloy in 2010, in which capacity he advocated for early-education reading programs and increased support for vocational and technical schools throughout the state.

In addition to Bill's contributions to education, he was a member of the Wallingford Democratic Town Committee since 1965 and chaired the committee for six years. Bill was always up for a great debate, was known for his principled views, and could always be counted on to share his opinions, however controversial. Bill's counsel on state and local politics was often sought for his wealth of knowledge.

Bill was a talented craftsman, carpenter and cabinet maker, even owning for sometime a handmade furniture store in Yalesville. His carvings and furniture fill the homes of his family and friends. Bill loved to play golf and could be found with his 'coffee club' on Tuesday mornings. Bill vacationed with his wife, children and grandchildren on Lake Winnipesaukee every summer for over forty years where he became known as an expert small-mouth bass fisherman and the unofficial fishing guide for his friends in Far Echo Harbor beach club. Bill was an avid fan of UConn Women's Basketball, Stan Musial, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Above all else, Bill's greatest joy was his grandchildren. 

He is survived by his six children, William W. Fritz, Jr. (Sondra), Kathleen Romania (Peter McConnell), Michael Fritz, Heather McDonnell (Patrick), Matthew Fritz (Deidre), and David Fritz (Ariana); his brothers, Frank Robert "Ben" Fritz and James B. "Jim" Fritz; his sister, Maryann Fuller; and 14 grandchildren, Will, AJ, and Brady Fritz, Kaitlyn and Anthony Romania, Jack, Mae, and Cole McDonnell, Aidan, Layne, and Ainsley Fritz, and David, Olivia, and Michael Fritz.

His family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Thursday, May 17, from 4  until 7 p.m.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated directly at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 386 Hope Hill Road, Yalesville on Friday, May 18, at 11 am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to the Mary G. Fritz Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Wallingford, 06492 or Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, 104 S Turnpike Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492. For online condolences visit: www.wallingfordfh.com.