Francis P. ”Frank” Ritz, age 69, of Taunton, formerly of Norton, a retired Norton Firefighter and EMT passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at the Tufts Medical Center in Boston. He was the beloved husband of the late Vivian M. (Douglass) Ritz.
Born in Boston, MA on May 31, 1957, he was a loving son of the late Patrick F. and Mildred A. (Stappen) Ritz.
Frank’s younger years were spent living in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. His family later moved to Norton, where he was a 1975 graduate of Norton High School and later graduated from the Bristol Community College, receiving a certificate in fire sciences.
A resident of Taunton for over fifteen years, Frank was a former longtime resident of Norton, protecting the community as a Norton Firefighter and EMT. He began his career as a teenager, serving as a Norton Call Firefighter. He also did electrical, carpentry, concrete work and snow plowing in the winter months.
A communicant of Saint Mary’s Church in Norton, he had a passion for trains, was a charter member of the Old Colony Railroad Club. His family was the utmost importancy of his life and when younger enjoyed playing and coaching hockey and in later years, countlessly watching the sport on television
He is survived by his devoted sons, Michael P. Ritz and his wife Erin of Taunton, Mark R. Ritz of Shrewsbury and the late David A. Ritz. He was the cherished and proud grandfather of Elliot Ritz and Giada Ritz. He was the dear brother of Anthony J. Ritz of Florida, Trish A. Beninati and her husband John of Stoughton and the late Michele Roy. He was the much-loved uncle of Amanda Beninati of Walpole and Dillon Beninati of Stoughton.
His Funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 14th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton. Burial will follow at the Timothy Plain Cemetery in Norton.
Visiting hours are omitted and in lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Norton Fire Department, 70 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street, Norton.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com
Born in Boston, MA on May 31, 1957, he was a loving son of the late Patrick F. and Mildred A. (Stappen) Ritz.
Frank’s younger years were spent living in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. His family later moved to Norton, where he was a 1975 graduate of Norton High School and later graduated from the Bristol Community College, receiving a certificate in fire sciences.
A resident of Taunton for over fifteen years, Frank was a former longtime resident of Norton, protecting the community as a Norton Firefighter and EMT. He began his career as a teenager, serving as a Norton Call Firefighter. He also did electrical, carpentry, concrete work and snow plowing in the winter months.
A communicant of Saint Mary’s Church in Norton, he had a passion for trains, was a charter member of the Old Colony Railroad Club. His family was the utmost importancy of his life and when younger enjoyed playing and coaching hockey and in later years, countlessly watching the sport on television
He is survived by his devoted sons, Michael P. Ritz and his wife Erin of Taunton, Mark R. Ritz of Shrewsbury and the late David A. Ritz. He was the cherished and proud grandfather of Elliot Ritz and Giada Ritz. He was the dear brother of Anthony J. Ritz of Florida, Trish A. Beninati and her husband John of Stoughton and the late Michele Roy. He was the much-loved uncle of Amanda Beninati of Walpole and Dillon Beninati of Stoughton.
His Funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 14th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton. Burial will follow at the Timothy Plain Cemetery in Norton.
Visiting hours are omitted and in lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Norton Fire Department, 70 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street, Norton.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com
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