Deerfield Obituary: Gerard Fritsen, 86

The following obituary is from Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home:

Gerard Fritsen, 86, of Vernon Hills, IL, formerly of Deerfield, IL passed away suddenly on October 5, 2014.

Gerard was originally from the village of Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands, where his family owned the Petit and Fritsen bell-foundry for over 300 years. Gerard came to Evanston, IL in 1952 and eventually settled in Deerfield with his wife Mia to raise their family in 1957.

Gerard came to Evanston working for the family business at Petit and Fritsen. He retired in 2008 after working for Petit and Fritsen in conjunction with the Verdin Company from Cincinnati. Gerard travelled extensively throughout his life selling and installing Petit and Fritsen bells in Canada, U.S., Mexico and Central America.

He was a former member of the Board at the Deerfield State Bank, a member of Deerfield Rotary Club and an active participant of the Deerfield Senior Center. Gerard was very active in the community and touched many lives. His legacy can be remembered and heard through the bells of the Carillon at the Chicago Botanic Gardens and the 10 ton bell at Deerfield Presbyterian Church.

Gerard is survived by Mia, his wife of 61 years. Loving father of Yvonne (Henning) Tschammer, Marika (Jeff) Brown, Monique Fritsen and Renee (Jim) Gembra. Loving “Opa” to 9 grandchildren. Paul, Phillip and Peter Tschammer, Anthony and Marc Tognarelli, Bianca and Derik Vogelsang and Alyssa and Grant Gembra.

A visitation will be held Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 12 pm until time of mass at 1 pm at Techny Towers, 2001 Waukegan Rd., Techny, IL. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Techny, IL.

Donations may be made to Chicago Botanic Gardens, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022. For funeral information please call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at (847) 831-4260