aged 62, of Richland Township, died peacefully with his family by his side on March 15, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. He is preceded in death by his 35-year-old loving wife Mary E. (Pillage) Fritz, parents Thomas V. and Barbara L. (Jacob) Fritz, parents-in-law Ralph N. and Patricia L. (O’). Connor) Pillage and brother-in-law Thomas J. Pillage. He is survived by his four children and their families: Kristine Fritz of Raleigh, NC; dr Andrea Fritz and Devin McDermott of Durham, NC; Mark Fritz and Selena Hernandez Fritz of Raleigh, NC; and Kaitlin Fritz and Andrew Barton from Cambridge, UK. As well as being a loving father, he was also a proud oompa to his grandchildren Brielle, Elise and Ian McDermott. He will also be missed by his fiancee Vivian Boyer of Scottdale, PA; his sister Juliann Fritz Brigham and her husband Chris Brigham of Park City, UT; and his siblings-in-law Billy Pileggi, Lynda Pillage and Paul Moran-Pillage of Pittsburgh, PA. William was born on August 14, 1960 in Pittsburgh, PA. Even as a child he was a social butterfly and had a gift for nurturing lifelong and meaningful relationships. In fact, he started courting Mary, his soulmate, in junior high. Together they weathered many storms and created a beautiful life. With Mary by his side, William pursued his dream of becoming a doctor. The two graduated from Churchill Area High School, after which William attended Washington & Jefferson College. He studied biology and economics, was a proud member of the ZBT Fraternity and graduated in 1982. After graduating, William, Mary and little Kristine moved to Philadelphia, where William studied medicine at Hahnemann University from 1982 to 1986. William studied patient care, a knack for physiology and enjoys procedures, he pursued anesthesiology during his residency at Hahnemann University. Over the next three decades or more, William ministered to patients across the country, particularly in Johnstown, PA, where he was for a time director of anesthesiology at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. As a doctor, he took great pride in the care he gave to each patient, the camaraderie of his colleagues, and the scholarship of his work. Beyond his professional work, William found immense fulfillment mentoring local college students through Conemaugh’s Mentoring in Medicine program. From formal speaking engagements, university visits, and backyard conversations, he shared his insights with hundreds of future physicians and healthcare professionals. But anyone who stopped by or spoke to him realized that his mentoring and desire to help knew no bounds. William was also a loving and dedicated family man who always supported his children and grandchildren, from the loudest cheer at graduations and dancing around at preschool parties to a shoulder to cry on and a hand to hold in difficult moments. He lived life to the fullest, which included adventures in the US and abroad, learned a new language in his last years, kept dates in the park with his grandchildren, and never said no to a good show or concert. However, in his free time, he also sought opportunities to serve others and the community he loved. He was a staunch member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, an advocate of St. Benedict’s Catholic School (now Divine Mercy) and Bishop McCort High School, his children’s alma maters, and a supporter of various universities in western Pennsylvania. William left a trail of kindness everywhere and we will miss him dearly. But his legacy – professionally and personally – will live on in the hearts of all those he touched. Viewings are at Meek & Dalla Valle Funeral Home, 1312 Graham Ave. Windber, PA 15963, on Wednesday, March 22, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., where a rosary will be prayed in the evening, and on Thursday, March 23, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 2pm and 6pm-8pm where the vigil will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 24 at St. Benedict’s Church in Geistown, PA with Fr. David Peles. Engagement with Fr. Michael Wolfe, will be private for family at Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in William’s memory to one of the educational grant funds dear to his heart: The Dr. William Fritz Family Fund at Bishop McCort High School; The Mary E. and William T. Fritz Memorial Fund at St. Vincent College; The Mr. Thomas V. and Dr. William T. Fritz Memorial Prize at Washington and Jefferson College; The Zeno and Thomas Fritz Endowment Fund at Duquesne University; or The Sandzimier Endowed Memorial Scholarship Internship Fund at Seton Hill. To share memories or donate online please visit https://everloved.com/life-of/william-t-fritz/
