Fritz Broszat, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013.

Fritz was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 20, 1928, to Franz and Elsa.

After high school, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, and served seven years. Upon his return to Philadelphia, he once again felt the call to serve and protect, and gave 34 years of faithful service to the Philadelphia Police Department. Fritz retired to Florida in 1987 with his wife Joyce. Not able to stay idle, he became a bus driver for Charlotte County Public Schools. Having found his third calling, Fritz stayed with CCPS for 19 years as a bus driver, driver trainer and CDL tester. Fritz busied himself in his free time with his love of country dancing, bike riding, and memberships in the Eagles, the Moose and the American Legion.

He will be greatly missed and forever loved by his children, Lisa (Bill) Craig of Port Charlotte, Elsie Jo (Fred) Ripka of Pennsburg, Pa., and Clark (Ruth) Giberson of Bechtelsville, Pa.; grandchildren, Wyatt, Dyan, Fred and Steven; and sister, Helen Weiler of Wyncote, Pa. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Joyce, in 2005; his brother, Frank; and sister, Gertrude of Pennsylvania.

The family will receive visitors from 5:30 p.m. until the memorial service at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 2405 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, donations to Meals on Wheels of Charlotte County may be made in Fritz’s name to P.O. Box 494037, Port Charlotte, FL 33949.

Arrangements are made by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Homes, Port Charlotte.