MORELAND HILLS, Ohio — Moreland Hills Mayor Dan Fritz has died, the village confirmed Thursday.
Officials did not give a cause of death, but called Fritz's death "sudden." A statement further said village leaders were "shocked and heartbroken" at his loss.
"We are thinking right now of the Fritz family, and out of respect for them, the Village has no further comment at this time."
A graduate of Orange High School and a Moreland Hills resident since 1998, Fritz served on Village Council for 12 years before being elected mayor in 2019. He described himself as "fiscally conservative" while also showing a passion for the environment, notably when it came to the Forest Ridge Preserve.
Besides his role as mayor, Fritz was also a firefighter, serving as a captain in Bedford Heights as well as assistant chief in Orange Village. His dad also led the Orange department for 25 years.
"Mayor Fritz, Dan, was a wonderful colleague and terrific leader," Pepper Pike Mayor Richard Bain, president of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association, said. "He was always a thoughtful and positive participant in our regional conversation. More so, Dan was a great guy. We grieve his loss and offer our condolences and support to his family and community at this very difficult time."
Per Moreland Hills' charter, Village Council President Ethan Spencer now becomes mayor and will serve out the remainder of Fritz's term. Funeral arrangements for Fritz, who is survived by his wife Colleen and three children, have not yet been announced.
Orange City School's Superintendent Dr. Lynn Campbell released the following statement:
"The Orange City School District is saddened by the loss of Mayor Dan Fritz of Moreland Hills. Mayor Fritz was an Orange alumnus and avid supporter of our school district, and he will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones."