Howard Ritter

Howard J. "John" Ritter, age 75 of Lewiston NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 19, 2018 at home with the loving care of Niagara Hospice and his family. John as he was always called was born on September 13, 1943 in Prairie City, OR. He was the son of the late Thomas and Mary (Franks) Ritter and the beloved husband of Nancy (Muisiner) Ritter whom he married on September 26, 1964 at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Niagara Falls, NY. After High School John enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960. He was stationed at Ft. Niagara until its' closing and continued serving in this area until his honorable discharge in August of 1966. John worked for Moore Business Forms before being employed at Hooker Chemical/Occidental Chemical as a Millwright and later a Foreman. He retired in 2000 after 35 years. John was quite the handyman, avid outdoorsman and hunter, belonging to the NRA and the Golden Eagles. John loved to fix things for his family and help out his friends and neighbors as well as building his own hunting cabin in Zoar Valley. which he loved to go to. John was also active in his community, joining the Zoning Board in 1996 and becoming Chairman in 2007. He was also the Harbor Master in Lewiston from 2005 until August 2018. He really enjoyed his time with the commercial fishermen and all who came down to the river. After his retirement John and Nancy traveled the country including Hawaii and Alaska. They also spent part of the winter in Arizona and Florida for the past 18 years. John was a loving father to his two children, Jeffrey (Mary) Ritter and Patricia Pinson, and his granddaughter, Joslyn Pinson who was the apple of his eye. He is survived by his sister, Agnes Pope of Oregon, his sister in law, Patricia Rose; four nephews and three nieces. He was predeceased by two sisters, Lois Carter and Mary Campbell. Friends may call at HADISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Friday, September 28, from 4 - 8 pm. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 29, at 11:00 am in the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Rex Stewart officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094. .