Obituary of Robert J. Kretz

Kretz, Robert James Binghamton: Robert James "Bob" Kretz, 78, of Binghamton, NY, passed away peacefully on April 30th, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He is predeceased by his parents, Mary Jo (Powell) Kretz Blauvelt and Edward Kretz; his brother, Rev. Edward J. Kretz; and his sister, Joanne Echler Dolansky. He is survived by his loving wife, Marianne "Julie" (Bielawski) Kretz; daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen "Kate" Kretz and Kevin Maher; son and daughter-in-law, Robert "Bob" Kretz and Beth Franz; daughter and son-in-law, Christine "Chris" Kretz and Mike Peck; daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" Kretz; son, Edward "Ed" Kretz; his brother, Jesuit Thomas Kretz; grandchildren, Hudson, Will and Quinn Peck, Georgia Kretz, and Ilaria Maher; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Bob was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He received an honorable discharge from the US Army where he served as Chaplain's Assistant, Typist, and Leader of a Barbershop quartet. He attended Duquesne University and University of Pittsburgh, earning a B.A. in Languages and an M.A. in Latin. A hardworking man, Bob taught French and Latin at Binghamton Central High School, West Middle School, and Binghamton High School from 1966 through 1991, and often held a second job to support his family. In 1972, he moved his wife and four children to France for an entire year on half a schoolteacher's salary and changed their lives forever. He was a member of both St. Patrick's and St. Thomas parishes during the course of his time in Binghamton, NY where he raised his family. He loved books, travel, films, philosophy, and learning, and took an endless variety of classes at SUNY Binghamton and Broome Community College until the day he died. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick's Church, Binghamton, Saturday at 9 a.m. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, Friday from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Broome County Public Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton, NY 13901.