Howard J. "John" Ritter, 75, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully at home with the loving care of Niagara Hospice and his family on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.
Ritter was born on Sept. 13, 1943, in Prairie City, Oregon. He was the son of the late Thomas and Mary (Franks) Ritter and the beloved husband of Nancy (Muisiner) Ritter, whom he married on Sept. 26, 1964, at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Niagara Falls.
After high school, Ritter enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960. He was stationed at Fort Niagara until its closing and continued serving in this area until his honorable discharge in August of 1966.
Ritter worked for Moore Business Forms before being employed at Hooker Chemical/Occidental Chemical as a millwright and later a foreman. He retired after 35 years in 2000.
Ritter was quite the handyman, avid outdoorsman and hunter, belonging to the NRA and the Golden Eagles. He loved to fix things for his family and help out his friends and neighbors, as well as building his own hunting cabin in Zoar Valley, which he loved to visit.
Ritter was also active in his community, joining the Zoning Board of Appeals in 1996 and becoming chairman in 2007. He was also the harbormaster in Lewiston from 2005 until August of this year. He really enjoyed his time with the commercial fishermen and all who came down to the river.
After his retirement, Ritter and his wife traveled the country, including Hawaii and Alaska. They also spent part of the winter in Arizona and Florida for the past 18 years.
John was a loving father to his two children, Jeffrey (Mary) Ritter and Patricia Pinson, and his granddaughter, Joslyn Pinson, who was the apple of his eye. He is survived by his sister, Agnes Pope of Oregon; his sister-in-law, Patricia Rose; and by four nephews and three nieces. He was predeceased by two sisters: Lois Carter and Mary Campbell.
Friends may call at Hardison Funeral Home, North Fourth and Ridge streets, Lewiston, from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, in the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Rex Stewart officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.