SHARE

James Hartzer, 77, Of Darien

DARIEN, Conn. – James R. Hartzer, 77, a longtime resident of Darien and Norwalk, and most recently Wallingford, died Thursday, Oct. 22.

He was born Nov. 28, 1937, in Chicago, the son of the late Elsie and Emil Hartzer. He attended Taft High School in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. He also earned a master’s degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.

After working summers at WGN in Chicago, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at the U.S. Army Pictorial Center in New York City, where he directed military training films. 

He went on to work as a producer and director for Teletape Productions in New York City, traveling extensively around the world producing corporate and political programs, and later served as president of Reeves Teletape in New York City and Home Shopping Network's Telemation Production Studios. 

He also was chief operating officer of Imero Fiorentino Associates of New York City; vice president of Caribiner International and Jack Morton Productions; and founder and president of the Corporate Communications Group Inc. in Norwalk.

He was an athlete and avid sports fan who participated on tennis and bowling leagues and cheered on his favorite Chicago Cubs and Bears. He was a member of the Middlesex Swim and Tennis Club, where he served in roles as club president, tennis chairman and captain of the Middlesex senior men's team.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Linda; daughter Carolyn of San Francisco; and two sons and their families, Brian and Georgy Hartzer of Sydney, Australia, and William and Debbie Hartzer of Mabank, Texas; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service for relatives and friends will be held Thursday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Road, Rowayton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Norwalk Grassroots Tennis Association, 15 Eastwood Road, Norwalk, CT 06851 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

Click here to sign a guestbook.

to follow Daily Voice Darien and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE