Howard “Howie” Wesley Fritz Jr., 57, of Sciota, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 19, 2014.
Howie was born on Sept. 4, 1956, in Lexington, Ky., to the Rev. Dr. Howard W. Fritz Sr. and Marion B. Fritz.
Howie graduated from HaddonHeightsHigh School in Haddon Heights, N.J., in 1974. After high school, he attended EasternBaptistCollege in St. Davids, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied religion at Eastern Baptist Seminary, where he earned both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. His primary vocation was working with those struggling with drug and alcohol dependency. He worked 25 years for the Morris County After Care Center in New Jersey. Howie also loved his work as a marriage and family counselor in his private practice.
Howie married Leah Birnbaum in 1996 and had four children. He was an accomplished electric blues guitarist. He enjoyed performing with family and friends through decades of entertaining.
Howie is survived by his wife, Leah (Birnbaum) of Sciota; two daughters, Stephanie and Sydney, and twin sons Adam and Austin, all at home; his parents, Howard W. and Marion Fritz of Columbia; four siblings: Kimberlee Comerford of Mount Laurel, N.J.; the Rev. Stephen P. Fritz of Columbia; Jon P. Fritz of Keyser, W.Va.; and Andrew B. Fritz of Somerdale, N.J.; and all of his saddened in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless others.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1, at ChristHamiltonUnitedLutheranChurch, 419 Bossardsville Road, Stroudsburg. The family will be hosting a luncheon for all those in attendance immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made online to The Howard Fritz Project at youcaring.com.
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Brian
Howie Saved my life. He was my friend when I had none and he believed in me and went over and beyond to help me, I’m still clean Howie, I will have 19 yrs clean next year
John Conlin
Howie and I both participated in a therapeutic program called Operation Concern when we were teenagers. It turned out to be both helpful and destructive. We were very close and learned to play guitar together. Time went by and we went our way but never lost our love for each other. I will always love you brother. You were always amazing and full of love. I’m so sorry to learn of your loss. I was just reaching out to one of the only people who never broke trust with me, only to find that beautiful light is now gone. My deepest and most sincere condolences to his loving family. We were all blessed to have been touched by his amazing spirit. A life well spent helping others. What a wonderful legacy.