Patrick Mason Fritze

Patrick Mason Fritze of Mountain Brook, Alabama passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2014. He was only 17 years old. Patrick was born on May 23, 1996 to Cheryl and Ron Fritze. He attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School through 2nd grade. He moved to Mountain Brook Elementary School and went on to attend Mountain Brook Junior High School and Mountain Brook High School. Most recently, Patrick studied at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia.

Patrick is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Richard Fritze. He is survived by his loving parents Cheryl and Ronald L. Fritze (Ron) of Mountain Brook; his older brother Robert Fritze; his maternal grandparents Patricia Norris (Frank) of Mountain Brook and Phillip Mangina (Vickie) of Oneonta, Alabama; his paternal grandmother Gwen Fritze of Birmingham; his aunts, Robyn Gaut of Mountain Brook, Lisa Alexander (Chris) of Mountain Brook, Becky Settles (Mark) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Amy Stewart (Clay) of Waverly, Alabama; and his uncle, Russell Fritze (Terri) of Bossier City, Louisiana. Patrick will be deeply missed by his adoring cousins; Phillip, Frances, Christopher, Anna Rose, Adam, Tyler, Sara, Kaitlyn, and Katie.

Patrick was both an athlete and an avid outdoorsman. An accomplished wrestler, he recently competed and placed in the VISSA Prep League Wrestling Tournament . He played Mountain Brook lacrosse and was a skilled middie and attack player. Patrick loved being outdoors. He was a hunter and fisherman. A lifetime member of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Patrick spent endless hours in the Gulf of Mexico deep-sea fishing with his dad. Patrick loved water skiing, swimming, diving, boating, and embraced everything about Lake Martin where he spent his summers with family and friends.

Patrick Fritze was an amazing young man. His energy and love for life was immeasurable. Always in constant motion, Patrick moved through life with a spirit of love and kindness. He touched so many people in his short time here with us. He had a beautiful heart, was kind beyond words, and will forever be remembered by the many people who knew him and loved him.

Patrick was a parishioner at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church and an active participant in their youth program. His funeral Mass will be held at Saint Francis on Thursday, February 27 at 2:00p.m., followed by visitation in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church Youth Program, where a scholarship for teens to attend Life Teen Covecrest Summer Camp has been established in Patrick’s name. Donations can also be made in Patrick’s honor to Children’s of Alabama Hospital Critical Care Transport Team in support of their work to bring families home.

Saint Francis Xavier Youth Program

2 Xavier Circle

Birmingham, AL 35213

Children’s of Alabama Hospital

c/o: Critical Care Transport Team

1512 5th Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35233

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.