Edward Burke Fritz, 74

LEWES - Edward Burke Fritz of Lewes passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 74.

He was born Jan. 10, 1933, in Philadelphia, son of the late Maurice and Marie W. (Fisher) Fritz.

Mr. Fritz was a graduate of Haverford Boys High School, class of 1951, in Haverford, Pa.

He also graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics, class of 1958, from Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa.

Mr. Fritz worked for 20 years with Untied Technologies Corp., Connecticut Division of Pratt & Whitney, and with Sikorsky Aircraft, retiring in 1989.

He also served his country from 1954 to 1957 as a first lieutenant with the 105th Bomber Squad Tactical Unit, U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Fritz loved to garden, cook, play golf and dine on French cuisine.

He taught all his children to love the ocean.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Edward Fritz Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Lucinda McKee; and his sister-in-law, Mary Demato.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Ann Fritz; three daughters, Karen Skarlatos and her husband, Leo of Romania, Stephanie Fritz of Bishop, Calif., and Kathleen Fritz and her husband, David Grigsby of Guilford, Conn.; four grandchildren, Christine McKee, Heather Fritz, Alessandra Skarlatos and Nikolas Skarlatos; a brother and sister-in-law, David and Mary O"Brien Fritz of Millsboro; and a brother-in-law, William Sheridan Jr. of Pennsauken, N.J.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriot"s Way, Millsboro.

Flowers will be accepted. If preferred, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.