Francis Fritz Wamester

Francis ""Fritz"" Wamester, 75, of Wethersfield, beloved husband of Joyce (Vicorito) Wamester, passed away on Wednesday (October 19, 2011) at Hartford Hospital with his family by his side. Fritz was born on May 18, 1936 in Middletown, son of the late Francis W. Wamester and Betty (Cronin) Wamester. He lived most of his life in Wethersfield, moving there in 1952 and residing there until his death. He touched many lives through his work and friendships. He was a United States Army veteran, served two years in active duty in Germany and spent three years in active reserve. He graduated from Wethersfield High School, Class of 1954, where he was captain of the baseball team and won many baseball trophies for the most valuable player. One of his proudest moments was being captain of the first little league baseball team from the State of Connecticut to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Fritz attended New Britain State Teachers College (now CCSU), and was a graduate of a two year program at both Williams College School of Banking and the University of Oklahoma Credit School of Banking. He was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking. In November of 2003, he was recognized by the State of CT Banking Commissioner, John P. Burke, for his outstanding 48 years of banking service in the State of Connecticut. Fritz began his banking career in 1955 and retired from Rockville Savings Bank in 2003 after serving as their Vice President of Commercial Lending. Prior to that he worked at Bank of South Windsor as Senior Vice President, First Bank of West Hartford as Senior Vice President, Connecticut National Bank as a Senior Vice President and 26 years at CBT where he started his banking career as a teller, working his way up to Senior Vice President before leaving them in 1981. Fritz was very active in the community. He was a former president and director of the Exchange Club of West Hartford; a former chairman of the Heart Fund Drive, Cancer Fund Drive, United Way Drive; and raised funds for the Boy Scouts of America, Hartford Arts Council, as well as many other worthy organizations. He was a former member of the Wethersfield Republican Town Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was also a member of Region #1 Selective Service Board for Connecticut. Fritz was a faithful communicant of Corpus Christi Church in Wethersfield. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and UConn basketball fan, and spent many nights watching the games on television. He loved to golf with friends and business associates prior to his illness. He loved to vacation at his condo in Myrtle Beach, SC several times a year. Fritz loved being in his backyard, sitting under a tree or doing yard work. He took great pride in the appearance of his home and lawn. His greatest joy came from being with his family at picnics and parties. He would do anything in the world for his daughters and his grandchildren. They were the ""joys"" of his life. Our family was blessed with the most loving husband, father and grandfather. Fritz leaves behind the ""love of his life"", his wife of 52 years, Joyce. He will be lovingly remembered by his three daughters and sons-in-law: Cindi and Dante Bortolan of Rocky Hill, Leanne and Jessie Cios of Rocky Hill, and Carolee and Marty Remme of Westminster, MD, and his six beautiful grandchildren: Nicole, Christopher and Matthew Bortolan, Ryan and Shelby Cios, all of Rocky Hill, and Taylor Remme of Westminster, MD. He also leaves a brother and sister-in-law, William and Noranne Wamester of Wethersfield; two sisters-in-law, Jane Wamester of Glastonbury and Lynn Wamester of Wethersfield, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers: Richard Wamester and Allen Wamester. Fritz's family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at the Davita Dialysis Center in Rocky Hill, the doctors and nurses of the ICU at Hartford Hospital and a special thank you to Dr. Lawrence Pareles. Their medical care, attention and love for Fritz have kept him with us over the years.

Funeral services will begin Monday, October 24 at 9 a.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield. Burial will be in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memorial donations in Fritz's name may be made to the American Diabetes Association , 2080 Silas Deane Hwy., Suite 2nd Floor, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852, or to the American Heart Association -CT Chapter, 5 Brookside Dr., P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.