Karl P. Reitz, 80

LACONIA — It is with great sadness that we, the family of Karl Philip Reitz, announce his peaceful passing at the age of 80, on March 25, 2025, in the city that he loved and served so well.

Karl was born on June 7, 1944, in Evanston, Illinois, to Donald Smith Reitz and Ruth M. Fleischman Reitz. He graduated from Waukesha North High School, Waukesha, Wisconsin, following which he served four years in the United States Air Force, being honorably discharged. Using the GI Bill, he continued his education graduating from Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, class of 1970, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. Karl was a lifelong learner and earned post graduate degrees from the University of New Hampshire, University of Connecticut, University of Georgia and University of Texas.

Prior to moving to New Hampshire with his young family in 1972, Karl was vice president of Transervice, Inc., of Nitro, West Virginia. He became a banker with Laconia Federal Savings & Loan (later Home Bank). Following his tenure there, he served the FDIC in restructuring the banking industry in New England. Karl formed his own mortgage company, Apple Mortgage, LLC, in 1999, retiring in 2023. Hundreds of families across the Lakes Region enjoy the comfort of their homes due to the efforts of their work with Karl in procuring their mortgages.

Karl believed in giving back to his community of Laconia, enhancing the quality of life for his family and fellow citizens. He served as city councilor, mayor pro tem and was elected mayor of the City of Laconia 1986-1988. He also served as president of the Laconia Jaycees, Charter President of the NH Home Builders Association, 32nd degree master mason, shriner with Beni Kedem (Charleston, West Virginia) and Bektash Shrine (New Hampshire), president of the Winnipesaukee Shrine Club, and held degrees with the Scottish and York Rites, and as a jester. Karl served as charter chair of Lakes Region Vocational Building Trades, charter president Partners for Lakes Region Housing, treasurer Laconia Area Chamber of Commerce, president of the New Hampshire Institute of Financial Education in Manchester, president of Gilford Rotary, instructor FDIC Asset Marketing, Franklin, Massachusetts, instructor at NH Vocational Technical College, Laconia, chair and trustee of the Trust Fund for Laconia, trustee of the J. Oliva Huot Vocational Center at Laconia High School, and member of the Laconia Historical Overlay District.

Karl’s passions were gardening and horticulture skills, woodworking and traveling the world. He was always up for an adventure throughout his life. Karl celebrated the Kentucky Derby as a national holiday as he opened his home to friends and family for the annual formal event filled with roses, tuxedos, fascinators and great food. Karl’s greatest joy was in being a father to his three children. He would sacrifice life and limb for them and they knew it. Showing up for all of their games, chauffeuring LHS Homecoming queens, coaching Little League, sharing stories and decorating for holidays, and making his house a destination for many children in the Lakes Region are just the tip of the iceberg. During the Christmas season, he would inch a plastic Rudolph and Santa along a wire until it reached the chimney on Christmas Eve.

Along with his parents, Karl was predeceased by his wife, Sherry Hanks Reitz, and his bonus daughter, Sarah Hanks. Survivors include his beloved and loving children, Whitney E. Reitz McCallum and her husband Robert of Moultonborough, Amy C. Lovisek and her husband Phil of Laconia, and Daniel Karl Reitz of Pembroke; his treasured grandchildren, Maximus George Lovisek, Leah Liu Reitz McCallum, Hunter Jake Lovisek and Tessa Mei Reitz McCallum; companion Ginny French; his sister, Donna Reitz DeForest and her husband Bruce of Delaware; brother Norman Reitz and his wife Julie of Rochester, New York; and by his former wife and oldest friend, Catherine Reitz Tokarz. He is also survived by his bonus children, Jason and Helen Hanks and their extended families and bonus grandchildren, Liam and Ian Hanks of Tilton. He was loved and cherished by many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.

Karl’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, in the auditorium at Laconia High School, 345 Union Ave.

Military services will be held at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen this spring.

Karl was passionate when it came to helping children either with burn or orthopedic challenges whom he was introduced to as a shriner by his father-in-law, Arthur George Phillips. His request is, in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, or Shriners Children’s of New England, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01114, or online at lovetotherescue.org.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.