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George Roland Ritter III, 65, was born in Anne Arundel County. He moved to the Eastern Shore where he completed his last year of high school at Queen Anne. He was married to Lisa I. Ritter in 1989. He passed away on July 20, 2026 at his home in Ridgely. He is survived by his mother Ann Cook Ridley and sister Virginia Ann Nayden. He was preceded in death by his father, George R. “Bruzz” Ritter Jr.
George was an avid fan of anything water. He loved swimming, racing hydroplanes and enjoyed hours spent in marina operations; he was always near the water. He, with his father, built and developed Island View Marina on Crab Alley Creek off Eastern Bay in Dominion. They moved there in the late 1970s and built the marina from overgrown grasses and snakes to an operating full-service marina. George loved hauling and launching boats; time spent on the travel lift was his favorite. Before operating several marinas, he spent his early years with various marine mechanical companies where he became a much sought after marine diesel mechanic. He thoroughly enjoyed every mechanical challenge ever presented to him and remembered every boat he ever serviced and what its issues and problems were. In his younger years, George spent time delivering vessels and moving boats up and down the inter-coastal waterway. He loved to travel and explore new places.
Once settled in Ridgely, George enjoyed time on his tractor, building horse fence, and enhancing Lisa’s horse trailer. George enjoyed attending the Christmas Parades and made sure he got to as many as he could. He was devoted to his rescued fur babies and leaves behind Lucy Ann, Rio, Macy Meredith, Willow Millicent, Mary Kate, Precious ELP and Darryl. Over the years, he has rescued and cared for many cats, dogs, birds and other furry children. He even enjoyed the opossum that moved onto the front porch.
Best remembered for his kind heart, willingness to help anyone, especially to understand and enjoy their boat and how it operates, and a dry sense of humor, he will be deeply missed.
