Earlier this month, we reported that the American Pickers star Frank Fritz had died at the age of 60 two years after suffering from a stroke.
Now, it’s been revealed that Fritz’s final wish is about to be honored in a beautiful way by his friends and family.
Fritz’s Final Wish
“My understanding at this point, and this was his will, he wanted to come on the back of a motorcycle or a sidecar with his ashes in an urn with a big ride and go back to the Quad Cities,” Fritz’s close friend Jerry Gendreau told The Sun.
“We’ll do anything we can for him,” Gendreau continued. “That’s what he really wanted to do.”
This memorial motorcycle ride will reportedly take place in the spring. Chris Davis, who was Fritz’s conservator, also opened up about the current memorial plans for his beloved friend.
“There will be a celebration of life in the future. It will be big. Fans can attend,” Davis said. “We already have several bands who want to play in it, including my band.”
Fritz’s Birthday
Fritz died just two weeks before what would have been his 61st birthday, October 11. On that day, his loved ones spoke out to honor him.
“Today would have been Frank’s 61st birthday,” his good friend Annette Oberlander Willows posted on Facebook. “For the last 2 years I made him a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.”
“One for his birthday and one for mine and we would celebrate,” she added. “Small little story he would rarely share even a piece other than with me. It gives me a chuckle the way he guarded it.”
Fans immediately flooded the comments section with well-wishes for Fritz.
“Happy birthday in heaven Frank!” one fan commented. Another added, “Happy memories keep them close to us. Happy birthday, Frank.”
“Happy birthday to the bearded charmer Frank R.I.P.,” a third fan wrote. A fourth person stated, “Can’t get it off my mind… Been thinking about it being his birthday last few days… He will be forever in my heart.”
Full Story: ‘American Pickers’ Star Frank Fritz Dead At 60 Two Years After Suffering From A Stroke
Gendreau Reveals How He Wants Fritz To Be Remembered
Gendreau had previously spoken out to reveal how he’d like fans to remember Fritz.
“He was truly the comedian who popped out with some of the weirdest and dumbest things that you just go, ‘Wow,’ Gendreau said.
“Frank was pretty much a what you see is what you get guy. His faults were his faults. You can’t fault anybody for being what they are. He was a right is right and wrong is wrong kind of person,” Gendrau continued. “He made a mark on history.”
Fritz appeared on American Pickers with his longtime friend Mike Wolfe from 2010 until he left the show in 2021 to focus on his health. In July of 2022, Fritz suffered from a stroke that he never fully recovered from.
Find out more about Fritz’s death in the video below.
Fritz’s Final Months
In a previous interview, Gendreau opened up about what Fritz’s final months were like.
“He felt really, really bad,” he lamented. “You would go to see him in the nursing home and one-half of his body was completely done. He would lift his arm up and it would just drop. That’s got to be tough to be totally bedridden.”
According to Gendreau, Fritz grew “frustrated” because he “couldn’t come out and say what he wanted to say,” though some days were “much, much better than others.”
“I’ve seen this when people get tired, they get tired. I think if you don’t have the will to live, you won’t,” Gendreau stated. “I think Frank could’ve lived a lot longer if the will to live would’ve been there.”
While we’re sad Fritz is gone, we can all find comfort in knowing that he is at peace now. We applaud his loved ones for stepping up to ensure that his final wish will come true!
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