Martin "Marty" Ritz

Martin John Ritz, Jr. of Winter Park, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2026. Born January 16, 1970, on Long Island, New York, he was an Irish twin to his sister Laurie, born in December the same year.

He was the fifth “Marty” in the family when he arrived, so he became fondly known as “Little Marty” to his loved ones.

Marty is survived by his loving mother, Barbara Dickie, and devoted sister, Laurie Ritz; his nieces: Monica Abreu and Alyssa Lee Sang; his nephew: Billy Mansel; and his treasured “boys” – grandnephews Jordan, Nathaniel, Dominic and Enzo. He also found joy and pride in his extended family, uncle: Tom (Mimi) Dugan; aunts: Trish Dugan, Linda Ritz, and Carrie Dugan; and numerous cousins and their children.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents (Martin and Beverly Dugan); paternal grandparents (Martin and Ann Ritz); father (Martin Ritz); stepfather (Tom Dickie); uncles (Kevin Ritz and Dan Dugan); uncle and aunt (Marty and Edie Dugan) and his beloved cousin, Chantele Dugan.

Marty was raised in Copiague, NY until moving to Orlando, FL in his mid-teens, and maintained his friendships with his school, baseball, soccer, and street hockey buddies in NY after the move. He was a graduate of Boone High School in Orlando, Florida and worked briefly at Sea World and a few local pool companies before starting his own pool service company, MJR Pools, Inc., with a busy route of loyal customers for 20 years.

Marty was a devoted major league baseball, national hockey league and football fan. A lifelong New York Mets and Giants fan, he also supported Florida teams such as the Jaguars, Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning. He enjoyed college sports as well and spent many weekends cheering on his teams!

Being an entrepreneur and a homeowner kept him busy. He loved being around his family, nieces, nephew, and especially as a “funcle” to his four grandnephews - they brought out the kid in him. He was a talented home chef and grill master and taught them all how to enjoy a good float in his backyard pool.

Marty was a Broadway theatre buff, traveling to see shows in NYC, an avid gardener with a growing Monarch butterfly support area in his yard, and he kept an interesting saltwater aquarium he often shared pictures of.

A sense of humor runs in the family - quick comebacks, fast memory, and pranks were his specialty. Whether he was housing family safely from a hurricane or hosting a party, he could lead us all to laughter!

Marty had a great big heart to go with his great big blue eyes and we miss him deeply. But knowing him, he wouldn’t want us to worry. He’d want us to remember him happy, smiling, laughing, and loving us all back.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, Winter Park Chapel. A Celebration of Marty's Life will follow in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 PM.

If you have any special memories that you would like to share, please place them in the guest book below for the family to cherish.