By Carmen M. Hubbard

CATHEDRAL DEANERY — Raymond A. Hirtzel’s 30-year tenure in the maintenance of the archdiocese included more than just building repairs. Those who knew him well said he found peace within the halls of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Hirtzel died on Nov. 3 at age 79. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Nov. 7 at Holy Cross Immaculata, 30 Guido St. in Mount Adams. His internment followed at Old St. Joseph Cemetery in Price Hill.

Hirtzel is survived by his wife, Mary Brockamp Hirtzel; his daughter, Karen Kiefel; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

"He put his arms around this job and did the best of his ability," said Gary Raffel, director of real estate and the director of Catholic cemeteries. "He had peace here. He would go to Mass at St. Louis. We’d go to lunch from time to time. He enjoyed talking about Christianity and Catholicism."

Raffel was Hirtzel’s supervisor for the past 30 years. Raffel managed four high-rise buildings in downtown Cincinnati, including the Temple Bar Building on the corner of Court and Main streets, before working for the archdiocese. Hirtzel worked in the maintenance department of the Temple Bar when he met Raffel. When Raffel went to work for the archdiocese in the late 1970s, he hired Hirtzel to work in its maintenance department months later.

"He was very dedicated. He performed not only his job description that was required but anything he felt would make a difference. When there was bad weather, he’d spend the night in the building to make sure the snow plows cleared the parking lot," Raffel said.

Hirtzel was a Cincinnati native. He graduated from Roger Bacon High School in 1947 and attended the University of Cincinnati for one year.

In 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force. As a staff sergeant, Hirtzel was honorably discharged in 1957. After the military, he worked for the Eastman Kodak Company in Cincinnati during the 1960s through the mid-1970s. In 1976, he worked in the maintenance department for the Chelsea Moore Company for three years then moved on to Temple Bar.

"He worked most of his life. He just liked to be around people," Hirtzel’s wife, Mary said. "He was involved with the church and helped organize festivals."

His activities included woodcarving, bowling with his wife and being an usher at Cincinnati Bengals football games. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Newman Club.

"He got along with most everybody here," Raffel said.