Frederick A. “Fritz” Weissert, Sr., age 91, of 1231 Lake Shore Drive; Escanaba, died Sunday evening, May 7th, 2006, at home following a brief illness.

Fritz was born March 2nd, 1915 in Escanaba, the son of Fred W. and Lucille (Erving) Weissert and was a lifelong Escanaba resident He was a graduate of the St. Joseph High School of Escanaba.

After serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, he entered the U.S. Coast Guard/Merchant Marines in 1937 and in1942, during World War II , he entered military service with the U.S. Navy and proudly served in the Pacific Theater until his honorable discharge in 1947.

Upon his return, “Stateside”, Fritz began sailing the Great Lakes for a number of years with commercial shipping companies and later was employed for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad for a period of time. For much of his working life, however, his occupation was with St. Francis Hospital in the Maintenance Department and after his retirement, Fritz was a school bus driver with the Escanaba Area School System.

Fritz Weissert married the former Louise R. Sayklly April 19th, 1950 and she preceded him in death March 3rd, 1998.

Fritz was a member of St. Anne Church of Escanaba, the Escanaba Chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a life member of the Knights of Columbus #640. In earlier years, he was a bee-keeper, raised Beagle dogs and was associated with the local “Beagle Club”. Fritz also enjoyed playing “Poker” and his family fondly remembers him attending the weekly “Buddies Poker Club”.

Fritz was devout in his religious beliefs and his family derives peace and contentment knowing he is with his loving wife, and their mother, Louise.

Fritz Weissert’s survivors include:

1 Son- Fred A. (Darlene) Jr. of Escanaba

1 daughter- Mary (Eugene) “Ginger” Zambon of Bark River

1 Sister- Marsha Cooper of Los Angeles, CA

6 Grandchildren- Regina Bougie-Zambon, David (Kimberly) Zambon, Jesse Zambon, Andy Zambon, Tammy Weissert, and Michelle Weissert.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Louise, he was preceded in death by

2 Brothers- Earl “Sonny” Weissert, and Dale Weissert, and by 2 Sisters- Stella Rodman, and “Lou” Cooley.                    

The family of Frederick A. “Fritz” Weissert, Sr. will receive friends on Wednesday at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Wednesday at St. Anne Church in Escanaba at 5:30 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Michael Steber and Rev. Fr. Gilbert Neurohr officiating. Luncheon will follow service in the St. Anne Parish Hall. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery; Escanaba. The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Weissert family.