Robert John Duritza, Sr.
March 8, 1938 ~ October 31, 2011
Robert "Bob" John Duritza, Sr., 73, of Weirton, passed away Monday, October 31, 2011 in the Life Line Hospital, Wintersville, OH. Born March 8, 1938 in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late John and Sue Stralets Duritza.
At the beginning of his career, Bob worked at Kroger's as a stock clerk and worked his way to Store Manager. He left the Kroger organization in 1972 to work for Charley Brothers Wholesale Grocery Supply. After a 15 month relationship, he ventured out on his own and, in 1973, opened Duritza's Red & White in Western Pennsylvania. Through hard work, dedication and a passion for business, his employees and customers, he owned and operated eight super markets in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia including Weirton Shop N Save, a Dollar Store in Imperial, PA, Celebrations Liquor Store in Weirton, and Bison Inn in Bethany, WV. Bob was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award and Retailer of the Year from the Pennsylvania Association of Manufacturer Representatives PAMR.
Mr. Duritza was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church and the Pennsylvania Foods Merchants Association.
Mr. Duritza is survived by his wife Betty Jean Colotto Duritza of Weirton, whom he married July 25, 1959; sons Robert Duritza, Jr. and his wife Donna of Washington, PA, Jeffrey Duritza and his wife Sherry of Canonsburg, PA and Scott Duritza and his fianc Beckie of Washington, PA; daughter Laura Duritza of Weirton; brother Don Duritza and his wife Jackie of Virginia Beach, VA; sister Betty Fedesco and her husband Jim of Altoona, PA and 9 grandchildren, Robert III, Erik, Amanda, Brandon, Jordan, Ryan, Dylan, Brittany and Austin. Bob is also survived by his many associates and countless customers who are a very special part of his family.
Visitation will be held Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 10AM Friday at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church with the Reverend Father Dean Borgmeyer presiding.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice of charity or St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 229 California Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062.
My sincere sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with all of you.
YOu have my deepest sympathy.
You have my deepest sympathy.
My sincere sympathies to all of you! He was a great man! May God give you strength and may you take comfort in all the wonderful memories he has left with you!
I cannot know the pain you feel. I cannot share your memories or your loss. My words of sympathy are beneath measure, yet know that my heart reaches out with love to your heart. Uncle Bob will definitely be missed!
My deep condolence to the family and friends of Bob Duritza. I have very fond memories of Mr. Duritza from when I was a sales rep with a food broker many years ago. He was a serious businessman who always had a smile for me.
Mrs. Duritza and the entire Duritza family, you have my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy. I always held “Big Bob” in the highest regard, as his work ethic and dedication to his family, as well as his Shop n Save family, will never be matched. God bless you all.
My heart and prayers go out to All of Bobs Loved ones.. I had the pleasure of working for Bob and Betty… I know he will be missed . I know he left so many wonderful memories to hold close to your heart till you meet again ..
I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s death. I’d been missing him and his scooter at 4pm mass. Please accept my sincerest condolences on your great loss.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. I used to call on your stores and will always remember Mr. Duritza. It was a pleasure to run into him in the aisles. He always had something nice to say no matter what was going on. God rest his soul. Bill Fawcett III and Bell-View Foods Family
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Duritza Family. Bob will be greatly missed by all, he will always have a special place in my heart.
You rarely meet someone like Bob in your lifetime. Bob will always have a special place in my heart. Nothing but a smile and encouragement every time i saw him. Rest in peace, Bob.
Dear Mrs. Duritza and Family, Just wanted to express to you my deep condolences at the passing of your dear loved one. I met you all thru my friend Barb Hatala who loved you all so very much. She and Marylin Haught had so many Great things to speak of you before I met you and then I felt after meeting you all how true they were. I remember Bob giving Barb his prized Mustang to ride in the Weirton parade for the Ladies 25 year club of Weirton Steel. I just pray that the wonderful memories you all have will be with you as you travel the grief path of missing Bob. Please know that there are so many that love you all. May God Bless you at this most difficult time. A Weirton Friend, Darlene McKinley
I first met Bob in the Washington store in the mid 70’s. Hard to believe that was over 35 years ago! My fondest memories of the Duritza family was traveling on the Supervalu trips together. We shared many memories & laughs. Bob knew how to work,and play, hard. He will be missed.
One of the greatest men i’ve ever known, he will be missed by everyone. My deepest sympathy to the Duritza family.
Words cannot convey the deep sorrow I feel. Before I moved, I worked for him for 21 years and I have many wonderful memories. He was definitely a class act and I will miss him. Betty, please know that you and the rest of the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
The Duritza Family, I want to extend my condolences on the death of Mr. Duritza. Since Shop’n Save opened in Washington I have shopped there. When my Son, Bradley, was having a hard time getting a Summer job, Mrs. Bostonia from Kroger’s sent him to Mr. D. to ask for a job and he gave it to him on the spot. He worked for him 2 Summers and then went on to graduate from CUP and join the Army Reserves. Thank you from all of us. The Lyle E. Evans Family
Bob will be greatly missed. He was a great and kind man. I worked for him for 7 years and he always wanted me to succeed no matter what. He was amazing and the world will be a different place without him but heaven has a great angel watching over us.
I am so sorry for your loss. Bob was a wonderful person and made everyone laugh. He will be sadly missed.
My deepest condolences to the entire Duritza family. It has been over 30 years since I last saw Bob Duritza but have good memories of the days in Rodgers Manor. As someone who lost my Mom about a month ago, I know how difficult this is. May G_d be with the entire Duritza family during this time and may you have comfort in knowing that Mr. Duritza will be in heaven watching over you.
Mrs Duritza, Bob, Laura, Jeff, Scott, Sherry and Donna – I haven’t seen you all in a long time but I, at the least, wanted to offer my sincere condolences in the passing of Mr D. My sympathies on the passing of a great man and I thank you all for the memories.
Dear Mrs Duritza, My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. BIG BOB will be sadly missed by all who ever got to know him. He was a true blessing from god. From Robert Stitch and Adale Williams,we work for your Monessen Foodland store.
Dear Betty and Family, Our thoughts & prayers to you all at the loss of a truly gentle man. After all these years, we still talk about the many great times we shared with you; on trips, dinners, Steeler games, the list goes on. Bob gave new definition to the word generous. May his soul rest in eternal peace. With deep sympathy,Patty & Cliff
You all have my deepest sympathy in your loss.
I would like to send my condolences to the Duritza family. I worked for Bob for 7 years and he was a great man. He will be missed dearly.
Bob was the nicest,most kind man In the world… Always took the time to say hi..Never too busy…… Hope their Sons follow in his foot steps……….
Mrs. Duritza and Family. Bob, was a very nice person. Always took the time to stop and chat for awhile. Fond memories of Bob, working at the Red & White store in Belle Vernon, giving our Mom the best service ever. He was one of the good guys and will be missed by many folks. Sharon and Susie Zolock
I would like to say that i am very sorry for your loss. Mr. duritza was a very nice man to whom i have much respect for. He will be greatly missed by myself and countless others. Again please accept my deepest sympathy in this sorrowful time.
Dear Duritza Family, My deepest sympathy over the loss or Bob Sr. I worked for Charley Bros.(Supervalu) for over 20 years and had fond memories of him. I remember when he built a home for his sister that she wouldn’t move into it and the care taker left the water hose on, I called him so he didn’t have a $1000.00 water bill. He laughed! I worked in Produce then Floral (CMA) and loved it there, so many nice memories of all the Duritza family. Still always shop at Rostraver SNS! He is now at peace and may his memory be eternal.
I want to say something that will bring all the Duritza family comfort, but my heart is aching as I am sure yours are too.What a GREAT MAN he was.!!!!If we remember all the wonderful memories, great times, and the loved you shared then God will have you smiling again as I imagine Bob is smiling now!! You will never lose Bob because he will live the rest of your lives in your heart!!!God Bless and Keep You All!!
Dear Family of Robert Duritza, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I have always marveled the way you always brought him to church every Saturday night for Mass. I know it was a struggle, but one that you always did with love. May you always be comforted by good memories. God Bless you in the days ahead. With great sympathy, Sincerely, Mike and Janice Petrovich