Obituary of Walter S. Fritsch III

Walter Stevens Fritsch III, 52 of East Haven passed away peacefully at Yale New Haven Hospital on July 4, 2018. He was born October 5, 1965 in New Haven to Walter Jr. and Raffaella “Rae” (Ponzillo) Fritsch. Walter is survived by his parents, Walter and Rae Fritsch, sister, Lori Carusone (Tony) of North Branford, niece, Christiana Carusone, nephew, Justin Carusone and many aunts/uncles and cousins. Walter is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Walter and Pearl (McNaughton) Fritsch and maternal grandparents, Clement and Carmel (Aceto) Ponzillo. 

On July 4^th we lost our beloved Walter. His smile could light up a room. His personality, wit and charm were overwhelming. He loved his music and wrestling, but most of all he loved his family. He enjoyed the family get-togethers and was always the life of the party. Walter had many disabilities but a strong will and always overcame his health problems with his courage. He went to ACES and graduated, then went to work at SARAH in Branford. When he was younger, he was a Boy Scout with Troop 888 and won many medals for wheelchair racing in the Special Olympics. In the last few years, Walter could not speak but always had a smile. Last month, Walter was honored as a Hero for Yale New Haven Hospital and was presented a plaque of John Cena, his favorite wrestler.

To Yale New Haven Hospital, the doctors, nurses, aides, respiratory therapists and everyone on 10-7 East, we THANK YOU, you became our second family. Your devotion and compassionate care was greatly appreciated and valued.

Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Funeral procession will leave Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home on Monday, July 9 at 10:40 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Taylor Ave., East Haven with Committal to follow at East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven.

We will miss our “Man,” our lives will never be the same without him, but I am sure if we look to the sky, we will see a bright star and it might even have a smile on it. We LOVE YOU my man, take your rest.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Spina Bifida Clinic at Yale New Haven Hospital, c/o Louise, 1 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven CT 06510 in memory of Walter Fritsch III.