He was born a son of Richard Fritz and Olga Maestre of Sanford, in February 1943. He resided in Fort Pierce, Florida, but was formerly of Arundel, Maine. He grew up in Portland and graduated from Deering High School in the Class of 1961.
He was self-employed for 44 years, starting his own business in 1972, Fritz’s Tire and Disposal/Fritz’s Timeless Classics cars, closing the doors in 2016 due to health concerns. Fritz enjoyed helping his friends/customers from Maine to Florida get the best look for their classic cars.
Fritz joined the Maine Coastal Cruisers in 1997, and started Cruise Nights “5 Saturday Night Cruise-In” in Biddeford Walmart/Wendy’s and afterward moved to Shoppers Village of Kennebunk. Richard was instrumental in passing the Custom Car Bill in Augusta in 2005 and worked endlessly to help fellow Arundel business owners survive in the tough economy of the town of Arundel.
His pride and joy was his “1962 Nova,” which he improved from original condition to a custom car and won the Super Chevy Show at the New England Drag. He enjoyed sharing his passion of cars with everyone, always willing to offer a story or two from his experiences.
He was predeceased by his father Richard Fritz, mother and step-dad Olga and John Maestre, daughter Corinna Bolster, sister Eldora (Dodie) Boisvert and grandson Henry Gilliam III.
He is survived by his wife Pauline (LaPierre) Fritz of 23 years; by his two daughters, Shelley Gilliam of Phippsburg and Julie Mitchell of American Canyon, California; three sons Richard Fritz Jr. of Phippsburg, Robert Fritz of Biddeford, and David Fritz of Illinois. He has three step-children Sheila and her husband Dave Paquin of Grafton Massachusetts, Sharon Sanford-Cote of Marlborough Massachusetts and Alan LaBrecque of Arundel.
He also has two sisters Toni Maestre of Kennebunk and Elaina Lagrassie of Lyman, an aunt Wilma Rumo of Old Orchard Beach and Florida and an uncle Rod Johnson of Old Orchard Beach.
His pride and joy are his 17 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters along with several nephews and nieces.
Fritz always said, “If you have a close friend all your life, you are a lucky person. I have been very lucky to have Norm Leach as my best friend.”
Visiting Hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2018 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco.
Funeral Service will be at noon Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Arundel Cemetery. Gathering of family and friends will follow at Duffy’s in Old Orchard Beach.
To view Fritz’s memorial page or leave an online condolence please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com
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