Frederick V. “Fritz” Flick, age 96, of Butler, passed away while surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Concordia at Cabot.
Born Sept. 20, 1927, in Butler, he was a son of the late Vance B. and Irene Kemper Flick.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served in World War II.
Fritz was employed for 46 years at Butler Armco. He retired from the Strip Shears Department in 1991. Following retirement, he remained active in Armco management in the “Q+” program.
He previously worked as a bartender at Johnny’s Bar.
He was a member of All Saints Parish, Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church.
He belonged to VFW Post 249 and American Legion Post 117. He was a member of the French & Belgian Club and he also was a life member of the Butler Elks and the Butler City Hunting & Fishing Club.
Fritz worked very hard, but he was dedicated to his family more than anything. He enjoyed slow dancing with Rosie, the love of his life and, of course, he loved the amazing food she cooked. Weekly family dinner, especially in the summer with meals served on the sun porch and everyone playing and swimming in the backyard pool, was an event each Sunday. Evenings were spent listening to country music, with Jim Reeves being the favorite, and watching TV westerns, too. The family also enjoyed picnics at Armco Park when the children were young.
Family time meant the most. If Fritz was fixing something that should take 10 minutes to complete and one of his children offered to “help” and it took an hour, that was okay with him.
Hunting and fishing with the boys was always an adventure. Spending time at the family camp in Erie with lifelong friends — playing cards, building campfires, and riding a trike with Brian — then later, when the family had a cottage in Pymatuning, brought him much pleasure.
Back home he kept change in his “secret spot”. Taylor and Julian were always welcome to the money, with a “take some, leave some” lesson being learned.
Something else that brought him great joy was the holiday meals and birthday celebrations that took place at the home of the Quercio family. Surrounded by loved ones, Fritz enjoyed talking with the younger family members, watching the small children play, and holding the babies.
Fritz had a lifelong love of attending the races at Lernerville Speedway, and he especially enjoyed the World of Outlaws sprint cars. He celebrated his 94th birthday at the track with Stacey, Dan, Stacy, and Taylor and received a standing ovation from the crowd when his name was announced.
Later in life Fritz spent time at Concordia at Cabot where he enjoyed all the activities, particularly bingo, singing “You are My Sunshine”, and being the Man with Many Hats. He entertained everyone by sharing his one-liner jokes with the fabulous staff that helped fill his life. His best days were when his grand-dogs Samson and Brody came to visit and he got both family and puppy love!
Fritz was a dedicated, patient, caring, funny and kind man. He will truly be missed.
He is survived by one son, Daniel B. Flick and his wife, Stacy, of Butler; two daughters, Denise Streitman and her husband, Francis, of Nazareth, Pa., and Stacey Bowman, of Butler; six grandchildren, Jennifer Ozimek, Jill Lopez, Joshua Streitman, Pati Jo Kuty, Taylor Flick, and Julian Bowman; six great-grandchildren, Chelsey, Ashley, Tony, Paige, Dylan and Dakota; and three great-great grandchildren, Sienna, Aria, and James.
In addition to his parents, Fritz was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rose Mary Cavalero Flick, whom he married Oct. 24, 1949, and who passed away May 31, 2023; one son, Brian Scott Flick; two brothers, Robert Flick, who was killed in action in World War II, and Richard Flick; and an infant sister.
There will be no visitation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1, at 10 a.m. from All Saints Parish, Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler, with Rev. Kevin C. Fazio officiating.
Military Honors will be accorded at the church by American Legion Post 117, VFW Post 249, American Legion Post 778, and VFW Post 499.
Private inurnment will take place in St. Michael’s Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
www.martinfh.net