Harry William Stiritz, Jr

1936 - 2024

Our father, Harry William Stiritz, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024, surrounded by family in El Segundo, California after an eight-month battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Following his diagnosis in December, he continued to work both at his office in Torrance and going back and forth to Avalon as long as his body would allow. He continued to offer accounting advice to his clients from his bed when he could no longer walk. Harry loved Avalon and the people and places he would frequent. His long-time clients were more like dear friends, and he considered ya'll family.
Harry was born on December 12, 1936, to Harry W. Stiritz, Sr. and Dorothy Eleanor Robinson Stiritz in Bellevue, Pennsylvania. He was the middle child with older brother James and younger sister, Delores. The Stiritz family moved to California when Harry was just a boy. While attending Inglewood High School he met and started dating the love of his life, Sharron Allen. After graduating from San Jose Bible College, Harry and Sharron were married on August 23, 1957. Realizing his true passion for numbers, he enrolled in Pepperdine University, graduated with an accounting degree, and soon became a CPA.
Harry and Sharron resided in Inglewood, California and raised four children, Tammy, Jimmy, Allen (who was born in Avalon by the way) and Pegi Sue.
Harry enjoyed building his accounting firm, traveling and "investing" in people. He made it a point to meet one new person every day and made friends wherever he went. He opened an accounting office in Avalon and was City Treasurer of Avalon on and off for forty years. He also participated in Rotary. He had an office in Torrance, California and traveled back and forth between Avalon and Torrance. We believe that he helped finance most of the ice cream shops in town, one scoop at a time!
Sharron passed away in 2013 and Harry bought her flowers and wrote her a little note once a week until he passed. He will now join his beloved wife in glory along with his parents, brother, and many other relatives. He is survived by his sister and her family in Fallbrook, California and his children and their spouses who live in El Segundo, Atlanta, Georgia and Anholt, Germany. Harry and Sharron's legacy will live on in their children,13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Harry always said that when he got to the end of his life, he would exclaim, "Wow! What a trip that was!" He felt blessed by everyone he met, grateful for family and friends and for the love he shared with Sharron. He said many times, "I had a life that most people would dream of."
On Sunday, October 20th, Harry's daughters and sister will be at Lloyd's of Avalon at 3 pm, enjoying an ice cream sundae in honor of Harry. We would love it if any of you would care to stop by and share a memory or two.
Rest in "sweet" peace Dad. You will be missed.