Harry William Fritts

Harry William Fritts was born June 24, 1924, the son of Thomas Ivan and Bessie Schaal Fritts. He grew up in Erie, PA. 

He earned both a BS in chemical engineering and a Masters of Industrial Science from Columbia University, where he played the trombone in the band and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He served in the US Navy and Naval Reserve during and after WWII.

He was married to Jane Miller Fritts for 69 years. He worked for Alcoa for many years, at facilities in New Kensington and Pittsburgh, PA, Richmond, Indiana and Port Lavaca, TX. After he retired, he and Jane lived on Lake Hartwell outside Anderson, SC for 25 years. When it became too difficult to scrub the pontoons on their boat, he and Jane spent the next 15 years at the Foothills Presbyterian Community before relocating to Ohio to be close to his beloved son. Harry was active for 20 years with AARP’s tax aid program. He was an avid fisherman and spent many happy summers at the family’s cottage in Algonquin Park, Ontario.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; his daughter, Ann Fritts and son-in-law, Charles Coffin, son, Arthur and daughter-in-law, Elsa Fritts and daughter, Jane Gholson and son-in-law, Charles Gholson. He was extraordinarily proud of his 7 grandchildren; Jennifer (Lance), AP. Clara (Dillon), Allie (Ross), Sam (Key), Parker and Hannah (Robert). The next generation has added 5 great grandchildren with one on the way. We love you, Dad.

Private family services were held.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.