Gustave Raitz

ANCRAM — Gustave Raitz, 87, of Ancram, died Dec. 9, 2013, at his residence.He was born Nov. 22, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the son of Charlotte K. (Hohn) and Adolph G. Raitz.Mr. Raitz had been a local resident for the past 11 years; previously, he resided on Long Island. He was a longtime educator and teacher. He graduated from Colgate University, class of 1949. He later received his master’s degree from Albany State Teacher’s College. Mr. Raitz was employed as the assistant superintendent of schools in charge of finance and transportation in East Meadow, N.Y.He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army, was a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon and the Colgate University Alumni Association. Mr. Raitz was an avid sports enthusiast, participating in many including baseball, basketball, football and boxing during high school, college and the service. He also coached basketball and was a college football and lacrosse referee for more than 49 years. On June 23, 1951, in Middleburgh, N.Y., he married Marie L. (Wilbur) Raitz, who survives him at home.In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Gustave W. Raitz and his wife, Mary, of Smyrna, Del., D. Douglas Coburn and his wife, Barbara, of Seaford, N.Y., Rhys Raitz and his wife, Karen, of East Islip, N.Y., and Ruth Wittlinger and her husband, George Wittlinger Sr., of Ancram; his grandchildren, Lauren Glen and her husband, Kevin, Maureen Raitz and her husband, Ronald Fretz, Doreen Coburn Heister and her husband, Dave, Meghan Coburn, Kaitlyn Raitz, Andrew Raitz, Matthew Raitz and Daniel Wittlinger; and his great-grandchildren, Kevin E. Glen, Ava Glen, Amelia Fretz and Tessa Fretz.Arrangements are under the care of the Peck and Peck Funeral Home in Copake. Funeral services were held Dec. 14 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ancram. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Union Cemetery in Ancram. Memorial donations may be sent to the Colgate University Alumni Association, Class of 1949, Gift Records, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton NY 13346. To send an online condolence, go to www.peckandpeck.net.