Martin John Ritz, respiratory therapist

Martin John Ritz (Marty), 69, died peacefully at his home Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, in Rehoboth Beach.

Marty was born Jan. 25, 1950, in Amityville, N.Y., son of the late Martin D. Ritz and Ann Stachnick Ritz. Marty was a 1967 graduate of West Islip High School in New York, and worked as a lifeguard for New York State at Robert Moses State Beach Park. His desire to help people brought him to a degree in respiratory therapy, a career that he excelled at for 15 years. During his respiratory health career he met and married Vivienne Ganter, and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he lived for four years before moving to Easton, Md., where he resided for 16 years. He moved to Rehoboth in 2009, where he enjoyed life at the beach. Marty loved to clam, fish and take nature walks, and shared his love for the simple life with his children.

In addition to his parents, Marty is preceded in death by a brother, Kevin Ritz. He is survived his sister, Linda Ritz of East Greenbush, N.Y.; and his children, Laurie Ritz of Orlando, Fla., Christopher (Ayra) Ritz of Baltimore, Md., and Todd Ritz of Boston, Mass.; along with three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. 

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marty's name to the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Co. Station 86, 219 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or visit http://www.rehobothbeachfire.com/page/donations.

Please visit Marty's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.