Latrobe Little League Player John Gritzer Dies at 84, Leaving Behind His Wife and Three Children!
October 1, 2026
This article was last updated by Nishan on October 1, 2026
Latrobe Little League baseball player John Gritzer, who passed away at the age of 84, has brought moments of mourning to his loved ones, including his wife and three children.
Born on November 30, 1941, in Greensburg, he was the son of the late John M. Gritzer and Irene (Sevcik) Gritzer.
John was a devoted family man, a proud veteran, and a lifelong sports enthusiast whose presence will be deeply missed by friends and loved ones.
John F. “Sonny” Gritzer Passed Away at the Age of 84
According to the obituary reports, John Gritzer passed away peacefully at his home in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, September 30, 2026.
John is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carol A. (Passmore) Gritzer, and three children: Tina Crew, Suzi Gritzer, and Danny Gritzer.
Not only are family members remembered, but he is also remembered by his veteran friends, who served in the Vietnam era as an air crewman with the U.S. Navy’s Squadron.
Beyond his service, Sonny devoted much of his life to supporting fellow veterans, helping them navigate and secure benefits they had earned.
He was a life member of the American Legion Post No. 982 in Unity Township, serving as commander for three years.
Additionally, he was affiliated with the VFW Post No. 3414, Amvets Post No. 94, the Hostetter Slovak Club, the Cooperstown Veterans and Sportsmen Club, and the Lloydsville Firemen’s Club.
John was a lifelong sports enthusiast; his passion for athletics was evident from a young age. He played with the Indians for Latrobe Little League and the Moose in the Teener League.
Later, he joined the Church and Firemen leagues, playing softball for St. Vincent alongside the late Brother Pat Lacey, O.S.B.
He shared this love of sports with his family, enjoying trips to Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers games, creating memories that his children and grandchildren will cherish forever.
While his death has definitely brought grief to the Latrobe community, his legacy and memory will always be remembered by many.
In Case You Don’t Know
- Admirers can pay their respects to John Gritzer during a viewing on Thursday, October 2, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Lopatich-Brinker Funeral Home LLC in Latrobe.
- A funeral Mass will be celebrated the following day, Friday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent Basilica, with interment to follow at St. Vincent Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by VFW Post No. 33 of Greensburg.
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Nishan Dahal writes sports with a human touch, covering breaking news, athlete lives, and the stories that stats can't tell. Nishan believes every athlete has a story worth telling. With the goal of bringing those stories to life with honesty, heart, and a touch of curiosity, he shares his insights through PlayerBio.
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