Sewell, New Jersey, has lost one of its most endearing figures with the unexpected passing of Mike Ritz on December 4, 2025, at age 56. A lifelong resident whose quick wit and generous nature defined neighborhood gatherings, Mike’s sudden departure has prompted an outpouring of shared memories from Washington Township.
Mike graduated from Washington Township High School in 1987, where he starred on the varsity soccer team before earning a degree in business administration from Rowan University. He built a solid career as a sales manager for a regional pharmaceutical distributor, commuting daily from his Sewell home while mentoring young colleagues on building lasting client relationships.
At the heart of Mike’s world was his family; married to his high school sweetheart Lisa for 32 years, he was a doting father to their two sons, both now pursuing engineering degrees at nearby universities. Weekends found him coaching youth soccer at Pitman Park, blending strategy sessions with post-game ice cream runs that strengthened bonds across Sewell families.
Mike’s lifestyle revolved around simple joys: early morning jogs along the Gloucester County trails, followed by coffee at the local diner where he’d trade stories with regulars. He volunteered with the Washington Township Historical Society, preserving community lore through guided tours that highlighted Sewell’s colonial roots.
Hobbies like woodworking filled Mike’s garage, where he crafted custom birdhouses for neighbors and taught his sons the art of precise joinery. An avid Phillies fan, he hosted watch parties in his backyard, complete with homemade cheesesteaks and animated debates that echoed long after games ended.
Though taken too soon, Mike Ritz’s legacy of humor and heart endures in the lives he enriched across Sewell. His family finds solace in the knowledge that his kindness created ripples of joy that will continue to touch Washington Township for generations.
