Mr. Charles John Wirtz, a former resident of Andover, Mass., Berkeley Heights, N. J., and Pacific Grove, Calif., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, April 14, 2013. Born in Ontario, Canada, he was the son of the late Auguste and Elise Wirtz. He was a graduate of Punchard High School, Andover, Class of 1946. He was also a member of the first graduating class of Merrimack College.
John, a Coast Guard veteran, left high school during his junior year to serve his country in World War II aboard troop transports and cutters. He helped return thousands of soldiers home from both the European and Pacific theaters.
John spent much of his career in the insurance industry. He worked for The Travelers Insurance Companies as a senior underwriter. He later served as the general manager of the New Jersey Automobile Risk Exchange.
John was a dedicated fisherman and an avid sports enthusiast.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth, his son, James and his wife Janet, daughter, Mary Elise and her husband Jose, grandchildren, Daniel, Andrew and Charlotte, and scores of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jeanne W. Rapisardi and brother, Ralph Wirtz.
His funeral was held from the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 N. Main St., Andover, Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Michael Church, 196 Main St., North Andover, at 10 a.m. Many relatives and friends were in attendance. Visitation was held in the funeral home on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, for one hour, from 7 to 8 p.m. Interment was held in West Parish Garden Cemetery in Andover. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.