Trevor Fritz

With a heart full of love and a spirit that inspired smiles everywhere, Trevor Brian Fritz was a blessing in the lives of everyone who knew him. Through his example Trevor taught a very important lesson: life is full of reasons to rejoice, you just have to keep your eyes open. This is how Trevor spent every moment in his four years, and no adversity, no matter how great, could tear the smile from his face or stifle his familiar giggle.

The year 2000 was a momentous time for America, as well as the rest of the world, marking the shift from an old millennium to a new one. Instead of a New Year's Resolution, people set their goals higher and outlined New Millennium Resolutions. An example might be: "My life is a blessing, I will treasure every moment, and no matter how great the obstacles ahead of me, I will always find a reason to smile." Though he was still in his mother's womb at the turn of the millennium, Trevor Brian Fritz may have committed himself to such a resolution, for he lived every day of his short life in this noble way.

Trevor was born on July 11, 2000 in Grand Haven, the second of two children to Brian Fritz and his wife Barbara (Brouwer) Fritz. From his earliest days, Trevor revealed a spirit that was full of love and joy; he was an endless source of happiness for his parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Two peas in a pod, he and his sister Sydney always got along very well. Through thick and thin, she was always in the front of his thoughts; even when doctors were puzzling over Trevor's health, he was busy asking Jodi (Child Life Services) for an extra toy or book for Sydney.

Like all young men of his age, Trevor loved games. He could pass hours playing Zingo, which is quite different from bingo, and his face lighted with a smile every time he slid the game pieces. He loved to play UNO. Beyond cards and board games, you could find him active in the outdoors, running about with a hockey stick, swinging a bat to knock his t-ball high in the air, or riding around in his Play Jeep with Sydney on the passenger side. Trevor also got a kick out of riding on the passenger side--that is, when his Grandpa Brouwer took him up onto his tractor or when he went to Grandpa Fritz to ride the Quad. He liked the idea of skateboarding, and his favorite T-shirt hinted at this. Trevor was also an aspiring young fisherman, who camped at Rice Lake, Canada where he learned the tricks of the trade on a family vacation with his grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins.

Trevor loved foods of all kinds, but he certainly had his favorites--pizza and hot dogs (with only ketchup). Whenever his mother baked brownies, Trevor would lend a helping hand. He liked to crack the eggs, and he eagerly awaited his responsibility of cleaning the spatula and bowl, a task he used his tongue for.

Trevor always uncovered little treasures in his life. He loved his Blue Blankey, and he always kept it nearby. He loved to walk his dog Maggie. When the television was tuned to America's Funniest Home Videos, you found Trevor sitting attentively, giggling with laughter. He had a fun visit to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, and he even had a tattoo that he tried his hardest to never wash off.

Trevor was a student at the Grand Haven Christian Preschool, and in the true nature of his character, he loved every day there. When his class sang for their Christmas Program, Trevor's voice sailed above the others, as he was one of the loudest singers. He was very proud to be one of the angels in the show. Before Trevor's illness, he enjoyed going to Shirley's Kids Day Care where he hung out with his good friend Tyler. They had a great time together, so great a time that they earned the occasional time-out for not obeying the rules.

Trevor's health problems began in April of 2004, and he spent the past several months in and out of the hospital for treatments. Thankfully, he was able to spend the holidays at home in the company of his family and friends. But even when Trevor was away at the hospital, his family was never far from his mind. He especially kept his sister in his thoughts. Just two weeks ago, while in for the most recent round of chemo, Jodi gave Trevor a Build a Bear. After he received it, he wrapped it back up, with plenty of tape and gave it to his sister when he got home.

Trevor was always thinking of other people, and not just his family. At the hospital a lady would come around and hand out beverages to all the children and their parents. Trevor, being Trevor, would always ask for beverages, he only took a few sips, but he always needed a glass both morning and afternoon. That was Trevor: someone who tried to make everyone around him feel special, and always succeeded.

Even at the hospital Trevor maintained his playful spirits. He had a small toy shooter that shot foam bullets, and he loved to use this to scare the nurses and doctors. Occasionally, a doctor might get more than just one foam bullet. Trevor's charming character found an audience recently, when he was asked to participate in a film segment for Channel 8 News for the Maranda Program. This footage played at the I-Max Theatre prior to the showing of the Polar Express.

Trevor always kept the Lord near and dear to him. He loved the Bible, and his favorite stories were the Easter Story and Noah and the Ark. He always took it with him when he went in for chemo treatments so he could have a story read before going to sleep. He attended Second Christian Reformed Church with his parents and his sister and was involved in the Children's Worship Service.

Trevor died on January 7, 2005 at The DeVos Children Hospital after a nine month illness. Trevor's family includes his parents, Brian & Barbara Fritz, his sister Sydney all of Grand Haven; Grandparents: Edward Fritz of Spring Lake, Junior and Nancy Brouwer of Grand Haven; Aunts and Uncles, Bob and Julie Brouwer, Grand Haven and Craig Fritz of Spring Lake; and one cousin, Alex Brouwer. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jacqueline Fritz and uncle Corey Fritz.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 pm Wednesday, at the Second Christian Reformed Church, 2021 Sheldon Road, with the Rev's Edward Tamminga, and Michael Koetje officiating. Burial will be in Lake Forest Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Atrium of Second Christian Reformed Church. Memorials may be made to the Trevor Fritz Memorial Fund. Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes of Holland. Please visit Trevor’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory, sign the guestbook, or make a memorial contribution.

Though Trevor's life was short, his memory will live on in the minds of the many people whose lives he touched with his permanent smile, his positive attitude, and his overwhelming love for everyone and everything.