Obituary of Raymond F. Ritts
On July, 11th “The man, the myth, the legend” Raymond F. Ritts was reunited with our beloved mother and his wife June Loftus Ritts. He was known by many names. To his family he was Daddy, PaPa and GG. He was a son, brother, husband, uncle and friend.
Born at home to Raymond P. Ritts and Wanda Wroblewski Ritts on November 21, 1926. He resided on Exeter Avenue, Exeter for 74 years and was also a resident of Lakeview Drive, Penn Lake for over 50 years.
His goal was to have his picture on the infamous Smuckers Jelly Jar. He almost made it. He was also the longest living person in his family.
He was educated at St. Mary’s Parochial School in Wilkes-Barre until the day after his 18th birthday in his senior year when he left school and joined the Navy. This choice was questionable since he didn’t know how to swim. His reasoning was that he would always have a bed to sleep in and after being fished out of the pool for six weeks he actually swam the perimeter of the pool on the last day of Basic Training in Samson NY. He was a Seabee and served on the USS Kaskaskia. His tour of service took him to faraway places like Okinawa, Hong Kong, Ceylon, Egypt and many more. He crossed the Equator.
He retired from Major’s Sunoco in Kingston and ACS Manor in Pittston. He was a mechanic by trade.
He enjoyed sitting on his porch reading and monitoring the neighborhood. He was a NASCAR fan and had the opportunity to drive a race car at Pocono International Raceway. He enjoyed watching football. He was known to break out in dance to his favorite song Wooley Bully.
He married the love of his life on November 4th, 1950 and were blessed with three children Terry (Theresa) Ritts, Tricia (Patricia) Boone and Richard Ritts. He was blessed with nine grandchildren Trista Boone Roscoe, Tracie Belles Tate, Michael Boone, Kevin Boone, Christopher Belles, Ryan Belles, Sarah Ritts, Becca Ritts (deceased) and Shannon Banul-Ritts. He is also survived by numerous great and great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Lorraine Butera.
He is predeceased by his wife June, his son-in-law Michael C. Boone, his granddaughter Becca Ritts, his brothers Rowland R. Ritts and Robert S. Ritts.
His wishes are to be cremated and buried with our dear mother at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Corpus Christi Parrish. His wishes were to have no viewing and burial will be at the convenience of his family.
Arrangements are by the Howell-Lussi Funeral Home Inc., 509 Wyoming Avenue, West Pittston.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Tricarico and his staff at Geisinger 65 Forward, the VA and Kay and Carrie from Residential Home Health & Hospice for the care that was provided to our Dad and our family.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tn. 38105
