Mr. Rudolph J. Fritz

September 03, 1919 - October 17, 2008

Rudolph J. Fritz 89 passed away peacefully Friday, October 17, 2008, at NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford, where he was kindly cared for since Sept. 2007. Rudy was born on September 3, 1919 in Binghamton, the son of the late Louise Lavko and John Fritz. On February 5, 1946, he married Romana Bortolon in Bolzano, Italy. He was member of the US Army stationed in Italy during WWII. Rudy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Romana. Besides his wife, he is survived by his son Ronald Fritz, his daughter Sheila Charnetsky, and her husband Harry T. Charnetsky, and Tibby. Rudy is also survived by his sister Theresa Gaska, nephews Robert & Dick Fritz, Donald, Larry, Jeff, David and Chris Clow, nieces Diane Hoag, Barbara Schwartz, and Kathleen Fritz. He was predeceased by his daughters Gloria Ebersole and Valerie Fritz, sisters Mary Hoag and Rose Clow, brothers John & Anthony Fritz, and uncle Paul Fritz. Rudy graduated from Binghamton Central in 1937. After high school, he worked as an auto mechanic in his brother John’s garage. After WWII, he worked as a mechanic for the City of Binghamton. Rudy, Romana and daughters Gloria and Valerie traveled to Chicago, IL where he graduated from the DeVry Institute. Returning to the Triple Cities, he worked for a short time at Links. Then he joined IBM Glendale, where he was an Advisory Engineer, a member of the Quarter Century Club, retiring in 1981. Rudy was a strong willed, very intelligent & multi-talented fellow who will be sadly missed by his family. As a young boy during the 1930’s he built a kayak that he peddled around the neighborhood when his family’s home in the First Ward was flooded. Few people understand the electrical engineering & analog programming required by Rudy when he worked at IBM. Besides maintaining & fixing his autos and everything else around his home, Rudy would be found pouring concrete & building stonewalls. He also enjoyed ice skating, skiing, playing baseball, swimming, dancing, and listening to music. Most of all, Rudy did all he could, for as long as he could, to provide for his family, never complaining about his responsibilities. We pray that God will look out for his soul & spirit, and may his parents & daughters Gloria & Valerie welcome him in heaven with open arms.

Funeral Information

A funeral mass will be offered by Rev. Daniel Caruso at 10am on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 282 Chenango Street Binghamton. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City with military honors. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Chopyak-Scheider Funeral Home.