Henry P. Rydz, (Ritzy-Ritz) age 87 of Fairfield, be -loved husband of the late Louise Rydz, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 24, 2011 at the CT Hospice, Branford. Born in Lawrence, MA the son of the late Stanley and Mary Rydz, he had been a Fairfield resident for over 50 years. Mr. Rydz proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was assigned to the 274th Infantry Battalion. He participated in campaigns in Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno, Southern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe, and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Unit Badge with Bronze Service Arrowhead. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service following 31 years of service. Most of his career, Mr. Rydz was a letter carrier throughout the town of Fairfield. A lover of all sports, he was a baseball pitcher for Bassick High School where he was nicknamed "pumpernickel Kid";and was an ardent Red Sox fan. He will be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In addition to his wife and parents he was predeceased by a daughter, Karen Watts and a brother, Stanley Rydz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 2, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. meeting directly at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 149 South Pine Creek Rd., Fairfield. Interment with military honors will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may call Thursday from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to CancerCare, 535 Connecticut Ave/, Suite 104, Norwalk, CT 06854. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com

Published by Connecticut Post from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30, 2011.