Fritts, Captain Gilbert L., passed away February 16, 2013 at the age of 93. Gilbert was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and grew up in Savannah, Georgia. Captain Fritts resided in Boca Raton for thirty years. He was in the Merchant Marines during WWII and became the youngest ship captain at age 25. After the war, he worked for various shipping lines before moving to the Canal Zone, where he worked as a pilot for the Panama Canal for thirty-one years. He is survived by his wife, Onie Fritts; four children, Patricia Stuckenberg, Katrina Dennis, Gilbert L. Fritts, Jr., Cheri Fritts; and a stepdaughter, DeShea Deiser; and siblings, David Fritts, Jewel Nieuwstraten, and Jean Stewart. He was blessed with six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was a gentle man who loved family more than self. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Babione Funeral Home, 1100 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Friday, February 22, 2013 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation (Michaeljfox.org) www.babionesouthflorida.com.
