Howard Rittner's Obituary
Howard George "Tex" Rittner died on August 29, 2022 in Delray Beach, FL. He was 89. He is survived by his daughter, Lori Rittner, of Andover, MA, his stepchildren, Larry Howard of Boynton Beach, FL, Leslie Howard of Las Vegas, NV, and his grandchildren, Len Tetta of Boston and Laura Howard of Maine. He was married to Sandra (Sugarman) and Roslyn (Howard), and was the partner of Marilyn Kozin.
Howard was born in the Bronx in 1933 and raised on City Island, NY, a childhood he described as idyllic. He learned to play the clarinet as a youth and so began a lifelong passion for music, as well as a career spanning decades. Howard attended the Juilliard School of Music, expanding his skills to include flute and saxophone, until he required oral surgery.
Because he had to pause his musical education, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he became the leader of his own orchestra. It was in the army that he acquired the nickname, "Tex" (after Tex Ritter, the singer and Western movie actor). Following his service, Tex graduated from the Manhattan School of Music.
Tex's musical endeavors included playing on Broadway and in many productions throughout the Northeast. One of his most memorable jobs was playing in the pit band for a Broadway review starring Mike Nichols and Elaine May which ran for nine months in 1960-'61. Seeking more stability, Tex took a job with the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, eventually becoming a Supervisor of Patient Accounts.
He retired from the HHC as a beloved colleague in 1989, and moved from Queens, NY to Delray Beach. He continued working as a musician during his years at the HHC in New York, as well as in retirement in Florida. Tex was also an accomplished tennis enthusiast, earning trophies and playing daily until well into his 80s.
He enjoyed baseball, poker, jai alai and word games among many interests. Tex loved and maintained a vast network of friends ranging from his youth on City Island, through his army and college years, from his day job and the music business in New York, to his tennis buddies and music colleagues in Florida.
Howard will be greatly missed for his humor, talent, generosity and enormous heart. He will be remembered by all who knew him as uttering his favorite saying: "That's showbiz!" Service will be held on November 6, 2022 at 11:15 a.m. at Beth Isreal Memorial Chapel, 5808 W. Atlantic Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33484.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to : Bread of Life Food Pantry, 214 Commercial Street, Malden, MA 02148, 781-397-0404, www.breadoflifemalden.org.
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