Joseph F Pritz

Joseph F. Pritz, age 99, of New Philadelphia, died Friday, June 24, 2011, in Union Hospital at Dover following a period of declining health. Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania on August 23, 1911, he was the son of the late Frank Pritz and Anna (Brooker) Knight.While Joe attended school at East High School in Akron, O., he worked at Goodyear Tire. From there, Joe returned to New Philadelphia where he owned and operated Big Scottie Gas Station on East High Avenue. On July 13, 1929, Joe married his sweetheart, the former Ada I. Wolfe. They enjoyed a lifetime of love until her death on August 26, 2001.In 1936, he opened Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Company on 4th Street. It later was renamed Pennland Marine, which sold boats. In 1962, the company changed names to Pennland Honda and sold motorcycles. Yet again in 1975, Joe along with his sons, Bud and Jim, joined the automotive industry and were a dealer for Honda automotives. Joe entered retirement in 1982 when he sold the company, but remained active in the business thereafter.Joe supported his community in a variety of ways, but most notably as the mayor of New Philadelphia for two 2-year terms. He also greatly enjoyed his 20-year tenure as the New Philadelphia timer at both football and basketball games.He was a life member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge and the Quaker Club. Joe also was a former member of the New Philadelphia Rotary Club for a period of years.Joe is survived by his son, James (companion, Dana A. Mears) Pritz of North Canton; his two grandsons, Louis (Lisa) Pritz of Plantation, Fl, and Kenneth (Amy) Pritz of New Philadelphia; his great-grandchildren, Seth, Joey, Tiffany, Kenny, Kyle and Jared Pritz; and his niece, Carolyn Marks of North Carolina.In addition to his parents and wife, Joe was preceded in death by his son, Charles F. �Bud� Pritz who passed away July 20, 2009; and his half-brother, Oscar Pritz.Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Thursday, June 30, 2011, from 9 to 11 a.m. A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in the funeral home�s chapel with Father Jeff Coning officiating.Burial alongside his wife will immediately follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Friends are invited to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home, where a light appetizer gathering will be held.Memorial contributions in Joe�s memory may be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, OH 44622.