John Patrick Rittinger

John Patrick Rittinger, 76, a resident of Fort Myers Beach, FL, formerly of Vestal, NY and Ardmore, PA, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Fort Myers Beach. He was born July 16, 1944 in Poughkeepsie, NY to the late John and Katherine Rittinger.

He was a proud graduate of St. Bonaventure University where he met the love of his life, Patty. He graduated in the top of his class at Notre Dame Law School in 1969 and was Case Comment Editor for the Notre Dame Law Review (The Notre Dame Lawyer).  Following law school he served in Vietnam as a Captain in the United States Army (Airborne) in Cà Mau Province with CORDS and MACV.  He was proud to be a vet and to have served his country. 

Following his discharge from active duty, he was a trial lawyer (don’t say attorney) for 35 years with Chernin & Gold and Levine Gouldin & Thompson in Binghamton, NY.  He was known for his hard work and dedication to his clients, as well his mentoring and friendship to many lawyers that worked with him. As good as he was at being a lawyer, in 2006 he decided to retire to focus more on what he truly cared about - his family.  He spent those years doing laundry for Patty, teaching his grandkids how to ride a bike and giving them advice (often unsolicited and almost universally right), golfing and spending time at Ft. Myers Beach with Patty and his friends that were smart enough to also go south for the winter.  In 2015, Patty and John moved to Ardmore PA to spend more time with their children and grandchildren when not in Florida. He could often be seen running at either location in the morning no matter the weather.

John was passionate about golf, St. Bonnies’ basketball, sitting on the beach with a cooler, camping in Lake George, back rubs (getting, not giving), hating the New York Yankees and reading. If he loaned you a book you would often find notes in the margins or hand written notes of his personal commentary (sometimes with expletives).  But nothing was more important to him than his wife of nearly 55 years, Patty, and his family, children, grandkids and granddogs.  If John Rittinger loved you, you knew it. 

In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his three beloved black Labradors.  He is survived by his loving and tolerant wife, Patricia; children, Barbara Rigo (Stephen) of Ardmore, PA, and Michael Rittinger (Karen) of Ardmore, PA; siblings, James Rittinger (Kathy) of Scarborough, NY, and Mary Burke (Bill) of Pleasant Valley, NY; grandchildren, Alexander, Keira and Grace Rigo, and Reagan, Shannon, Bridget and Finn Rittinger; as well as many in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces and dear friends.

A wake will be held at Stretch Funeral Home, Havertown, PA from 6 pm to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021  A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Denis Church, Havertown, PA on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 11 a.m. with internment immediately following.

Memorial Contributions in memory of John Rittinger are suggested to St. Bonaventure University, University Advancement, P.O. Box 2519, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778 or online to http://www.sbu.edu/donate.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.