[Maybe_Tonight]

At tonights monthly LIBBA Board of Directors meeting President Chuck Hollins announced very sad and shocking news of the passing of LONGTIME LIBBA member/director/advocate/everything John Fritz. The name may not be familiar to some of the newer surf brethren, however, anyone who has been in this for any amount of time has surely heard of him.

During my time with Paumonak Surfcasters it was a distinct priveledge to hear John speak with passion about the "days gone by" and to hear his insights on the never ending fight for access preservation. This gentleman spent more time in various access/park department/conservation meetings than you could ever imagine. I really valued any time I got the opportunity to hear him speak about beach access issues and things like that.

I was not a close friend but more a distant observer who was always very well aware of the time this man invested in protecting mine and others rights to the enjoyment of our beaches and parks.

I sure hope some of John's peers chime in to speak more on his great accomplishments and contributions to this surf fishing game!!!

Suffice to say the Surf community suffered a great blow and will miss John.

May God bless you John Fritz, I hope the heaven's are stacked with 50s for you. RIP sir!!!!!

 

[ChrisDens]

Nice post Paul.
I never heard of John Fritz, but it's because of men like him that we can do what we're doing and I thank him for all that he's done.
May his soul rest in peace.

 

[surfeditor]

When I think of John Fritz, the first thing that comes to mind is a Brookhaven Town Board meeting held back in 1983 when he went to the podium and calmly and methodically defended 4WD access on Brookhaven's North Shore beaches. He was truly professional and well-prepared. It was the kind of thing he did on behalf of surfcasters for many years. I know he was an exceptional fisherman, but it was his defense of our access rights that will stick with me. God Bless John.

 

[blasko]

My condolances to his family and thanks for all he has done for our sport.

 

[MikeI]

surfeditor wrote:
When I think of John Fritz, the first thing that comes to mind is a Brookhaven Town Board meeting held back in 1983 when he went to the podium and calmly and methodically defended 4WD access on Brookhaven's North Shore beaches. He was truly professional and well-prepared. It was the kind of thing he did on behalf of surfcasters for many years. I know he was an exceptional fisherman, but it was his defense of our access rights that will stick with me. God Bless John.



We need guys like him now more than ever.

My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.

 

[RichTrox]

The surf community has lost a great advocate. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Paul.

 

[jfisher]

I served on the libba board at the same time as John and will mis John and his dedication. Paul that was very nice post.

 

[walleyeman]

RichTrox wrote:
The surf community has lost a great advocate. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Paul.
I couldn't agree more. My condolences to the family as well. Paul, thanks for passing on this information.

This post edited by walleyeman 05:28 PM 09/12/2008

 

[LeoDA]

My condolences to his family and friends.

 

[stpaul7]

Sorry to hear the bad news

 

[BennyBass]

My condolances and God Bless him.>>>>>>>>>Martin

 

[Capt Pappy]

My condolences go out to his family and friends. He was one of us.
RIP buddy and now you will get that really big COW.

 

[CHEVY1]

My prays to John & his family

R.I.P.

 

[sparky1871]

R.I.P. Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[lisurf2]

The wake hours are, Wednesday & Thursday 2:00pm to 4:30pm & 7pm to 9:30pm at Claude R. Boyd Funeral Home in Deer Park. The funeral mass will be held at Saints Cyril & Methodius RC Church in Deer Park on Friday 10:15am. For more information on John's Contributions to the LI Surf Casting Comunity see today's Newsday, page A36.

Lawrence Carlucci #1258
Exec VP & Treasurer LIBBA
Corresponding Secretary Gateway Striper Club
Montauk Surfcasters # 245

This post edited by lisurf2 12:13 PM 09/15/2008

 

[Fishscribe]

The Great John Fritz

What sad and terrible news. I remember John well, from many great articles in The Fisherman and as a guiding light to many up-and-coming surfcasters in LIBBA. I never fished with him, but we threw Christmas trees on the beach a few times, and we got to talking. Unlike many "greats" in this field, he wasn't a big shot or impressed with himself. He was one of the most down-to-Earth fellows I ever met.
I remember one time, we were waiting for a truckload of trees at the beach, in was january and cold as ****. They were setting up hot chocolate and sandwiches for the volunteers. I was standing with John, and our buggies were right there. I noticed a nail sticking out of one of John's tires. I pointed it out to him. He yanked the nail out and I was puzzled, the air starts streaming. it was then I guess he realized what he did. Luckily I had a can of fix-a-flat on me (for flats on the beach) and gave it to him. he repositioned the tire so the punctured area was lowest, and it worked like a charm. he turned to me and said "thanks. what do I owe you?". I said "Nothing, I've read your Fisherman stories for years,. I should ask what do I owe you". So he smiled and shook my hand. I always remembered that, and to tell you the truth I always admired John. It's one of the reasons I became a Fishscribe in the first place. My heart is filled with both sadness and happiness as I write this, sad that the world lost him, and happy that I knew him as a great fisherman and a friend.