JOSEPH E. FITZ

A long time resident of Los Altos, Joseph E. Fitz, died October 21 at the Palo Alto Commons. His wife of 57 years, Annie Knapp Fitz, preceded him in death in 1995.

His survivors are sons’ families: John and Peggy Fitz of Sacramento, CA, Dennis and Harriet Fitz of Temecula, CA, Joseph C. and Sue Fitz of Davis, CA, four grandchildren, and dear friend, Merry Edwardson of Palo Alto, CA.

A private burial service has been held.

Joe was born Feb. 5, 1915, in Piper, Ala. to Joseph and Mary Stritzel Fitz, recent immigrants from Austria. Most of his youth was spent in Johnston City, IL. In 1934, after high school graduation, he traveled to California, arriving for work at his uncle’s 8 1/2 acre ranch on Los Altos Ave.

Following years he clerked in an early supermarket named “Public Foods” on California Avenue in Palo Alto. Later he delivered dairy products to Palo Alto University Avenue businesses and the Veterans Hospital in Menlo Park. This work was interrupted by military service in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served 33 months in the European Campaign.

After WWII, Joe and his brother, Gus, bought 3 1/2 acres on Charleston Road, Mountain View, where they established a mushroom farm. They delivered mushrooms daily to many of the local restaurants and stores for the ensuing sixteen years. Because of health problems they disbanded the mushroom business. Joe and Annie built a warehouse on their portion of that property.

Joe and Annie lived in homes on Los Altos Avenue from 1938, experiencing the shift in Santa Clara Valley from an agricultural to an industrial society.

Joe’s favorite pastimes were fishing, especially when his sons could accompany him, and playing pool.

Contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice, 585 Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085.