Obituary of Thomas Martin Rittwager

Thomas M. Rittwager of Deposit A Man After God's Own Heart Thomas M. Rittwager was welcomed into the Lord's arms on Friday, May 13, 2011. He was born in Manhattan, NY on July 23, 1940 to Frank and Martha Rittwager. He is pre-deceased by the love of his life, his wife, Marie Rittwager, his brother Conrad (Tony) Rittwager, and his sister Gladys Mercado. Tom is survived by four children Ann Marie Schaeffer, Patti Smith, Elise Glassett and Tyler Rittwager; and their spouses Michael Schaeffer, Ralph Smith and Kevin Glassett; as well as nine grandchildren; Amanda O'Donnell and her husband Patrick, Shane and Melinda Smith, Michael, Thomas and Mariah Schaeffer, Morgan and Connor Glassett; and four great grand children; Kailee, Jessie, Alexis and Isabella O'Donnell. Tom is also survived by his siblings; Frank Rittwager, Arthur Rittwager and Caroline LaMarr. Tom and Marie have been completely family focused their entire marriage, thus raising over 25 foster children in the past 30 years, including Vietnamese Boat Children, children with learning and emotional disabilities and children from broken homes. Tom and Marie were Pre-Cana Instructors and Marriage Encounter Coordinators. The Rittwager family was awarded the NY State Family of the Year Award from the Knights of Columbus in April; an award Tom was very proud to have received. Tom was a very active volunteer for his parish of St. John the Evangelist, Bainbridge, NY and a member of St. Johns Parish Council. He was also active in his community, helping families in need, doing repairs on their homes, delivering clothing to shelters and volunteering at the Afton Fire Department with his son Tyler. Tom joined the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council #4937 in September of 1996 and was currently their Deputy Grand Knight. Tom grew up in an orphanage The Mission of the Immaculate Virgin Mount Loretto in Staten Island, NY. He worked in many different capacities such as refrigeration and air conditioning, process server, and after 26 years of service at a power plant her retired from New York Civil Service. While living in Whitestone NY, he was also an ambulance driver. He played Santa Clause for children and brought joy to both the children and adults. Tom believed strongly in the Right-to-Life and has attended many years walking in the March-for-Life event in Washington. Tom was a board member of Birthright of Sidney, NY Inc., where he gave many hours of repairing, and maintaining the building facility and attending fundraisers. Friends may call Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 1-3 and 6-8PM at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, May 20, at 11:00AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 15 Liberty St. in Sidney. Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Sidney. In lieu of flowers, Tom's family has asked that donations be made in his memory to either: Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council #4937 15 Liberty Street Sidney, NY 13838, Birthright of Sidney NY, Inc. 40 East Main Street Sidney, NY 13838, The Mission of the Immaculate Virgin - Mount Loretto 6581 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10309, or St. John the Evangelist Church 34 S. Main Street Bainbridge, NY 13733. "The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair" Prov. 20:29