Colleagues and friends mourn the passing of Russell Fritz on Feb. 1, 2003 from pancreatic cancer. Mr. Fritz's 41-year association with Garden City Public Schools has left many milestones that will long endure. He was born in Forest Hills, Queens on July 10, 1935. He received his BA in English from New York University in June 1957 and his MA in English the following year. He also was a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

In September of 1958, he accepted a position at Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School teaching English to grades seven through nine. While teaching there, he spent several summer months at the University of Salzburg, Austria, where he studied German and English literature.

In September of 1962, he began his illustrious career as an English teacher at Garden City Junior High School. He was one of seven "team" teachers to write an interdisciplinary course of study entitled, "Mini Arts," which proved to be a very unique and successful course of study in Curriculum Development throughout the State of New York. It flourished as one of the most popular ninth grade electives at Garden City Junior High School.

Mr. Fritz was a skillful director of many student musical productions at the junior high. Some memorable productions are Anything Goes, Lorelei, Once Upon a Mattress, Peter Pan, Superman, The Wizard of Oz and Teen.

Mr. Fritz transferred to the senior high in 1986 when the junior high became a middle school. He taught English to ninth through twelfth graders and assisted Inez Spiers with the senior high theater productions before his retirement in June of 1994. Friends and colleagues of Mr. Fritz have arranged a memorial service for this Saturday, May 3 beginning at 10:15 a.m. in the middle school auditorium. Former students and parents are most welcome to attend.