Donald "Doc" Fritz

Donald H. “Doc” Fritz (92) of Peterborough passed away peacefully at Hillsboro House on August 12, 2022.  He was born in Cortland, New York on May 17, 1930, the son of Harold and Irene (Livermore) Fritz.

Doc graduated from the Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954 and came to Peterborough where along with Dr. Forrest Tenney and Dr. John Combs established Tenney, Fritz, and Combs Animal Hospital. For decades he provided expert veterinary care to the farm animals and pets of the region. He was the veterinarian for the Budweiser Clydesdales in Merrimack as well as being one of the first veterinarians in New England to do embryo transfers in cattle.  Up until recently, Tenney, Fritz, and Combs Animal Hospital was owned and operated by his son, Dr. Derek Fritz and Dr. Nancy Moore.

It was in Peterborough that he met his first wife, Shirley (Griswold)Fritz and settled down to raise his three children.  In spite of his veterinary obligations, he always took the time to spend with his family including trips across country and to Alaska.  Together they enjoyed numerous camping trips even if some of those trips were to Greenfield State Park so to allow him to still go into work. As a family, they also enjoyed memorable times together snowmobiling.

Doc was an avid outdoorsman and always willing to assist the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department with their investigations.  In addition to snowmobiling, he enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He went on numerous hunting trips to New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Anticosti Island.  More than anything, he enjoyed his hunting camp in New York where he grew up.

In addition to being a Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, he served as Past President of the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association, Past President of the New England Veterinary Medical Association, and on the New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Examiners. He was past Commander of the Amoskeag Veterans and member of the Masonic Lodge.

He is predeceased by wife Shirley and later remarried Margaret (Leonhardt)Donovan.  Together, they enjoyed life traveling, camping, and snowmobiling. One of the highlights of a trip to Ireland was traveling the countryside where Doc would seek out farmers with whom to discuss cow diseases. They were particularly fond of Vermont, Maine, and Florida.

In addition to leaving behind his wife Margaret, he leaves a son Derek Fritz(Jennifer) of Francestown, a daughter Donna Fritz-Lapointe(John) of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and a son Dana Fritz(Brenda) of Milford, New Jersey. He leaves a granddaughter Emma Hoagburg(Brian) of Fort Wayne, Indiana and his newborn great grandson, Fritz Hoagburg. He leaves a sister Janice Murphy of Caledonia, Michigan. He also leaves his step children Jerry Donovan(Marion) of Scituate, Massachusetts, Tim Donovan of Peterborough, and Nancy Donovan(Peter) of Deering as well as numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful and caring people at Hillsboro House.

Services will be private for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peterborough, Deering, or Antrim Fire and Rescue Departments.