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George Ritter, Former Hartford City Councilman and Longtime Politician, Dead At 90

Jenna Carlesso

July 19, 2010

George J. Ritter, who was on the Hartford City Council from 1959 to 1968 and served in the General Assembly from 1968 to 1980, died Sunday. He was 90.

He was the father of former House Speaker Thomas Ritter and the grandfather of Hartford City Councilman Matthew Ritter.

Mayor Pedro Segarra issued this statement today:

"The City of Hartford has lost a champion and a civil rights pioneer with the passing of George Ritter. His advocacy inspired us all to work hard and to help others. His career as an attorney, as a lawmaker, and as a fighter for social justice is legendary not just because of the extraordinary results he achieved but how he touched and changed so many lives for the better. It was an honor to meet him shortly upon my arrival to Hartford and I will never forget his encouragement for me to 'be involved.' Our hearts go out to the Ritter family and to his extended family -- which is us -- because with every ounce of his heart, he loved Hartford."

Read the full story on him by Courant staff writer Mara Lee here.

http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-george-ritter-obituary-20100718,0,2159429.story