Nicholas Joseph "Nicky" Ritz, age 63, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Nick was born on Friday, September 28, 1951, in Uniontown, PA, a son of the late Joseph Richard Ritz, Sr. and Mary Ethel (Wilkinson) Ritz.

After graduation in 1969 from Uniontown Area Senior High School where he was President of the National Honor Society and captain of the cross country team, Nick continued his academic studies on academic and athletic scholarships at West Virginia University where he also was a member of the cross country team. He later transferred to and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania.

Nick enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a certified Air Intelligence Specialist. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. During his Vietnam War service, he was a member of the Air Intelligence and Reconnaissance Operations team stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.

Nick was a Delivery Truck Driver for many years and a member of the Teamsters Union.

He had been employed with A&W Foods, and retired from Fike's Dairy on Craig Street in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

He was a lifelong member of Saint Therese de Lisieux Roman Catholic Church, Uniontown. He was also a member of the former Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47, AMVETS Post 103, American Legion, lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association, and retired member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Nicky will always be remembered with love and deeply missed by his sisters, JoAnn Mildred Ritz, Rose Marie (Michael, Jr.) Tobak and Janet Elizabeth Ritz; brother, Pastor Joseph Richard (Susan Fike) Ritz, Jr.; a stepson, James D. Gemas; and several nephews, a niece, and grandnephews and grandnieces.

Friends will be received at the Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home, Inc., 603 North Gallatin Ave., Ext., Uniontown, PA, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm; and on Thursday until 9:15 a.m. when Prayers of Transfer will be said.

The Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Therese de Lisieux Roman Catholic Church, 61 Mill St., Uniontown, PA, with Monsignor Michael W. Matusak, V. F. Pastor as Celebrant.

Entombment will follow at Sylvan Heights Chapel of Memories Mausoleum, where Military Rites and Honors will be accorded by the North Union Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8543.

The Parish Wake Service will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Catholic War Veterans, 157 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401 or a favorite charity.