1932
John
2020
John "Jack" Francis Fitzgerald
May 25, 1932 — May 8, 2020
John "Jack" Francis Fitzgerald, age 87, passed away peacefully in his Walpole, Massachusetts home on Friday, May 8th, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 25, 1932, he was the son of the late Patrick and Mary Catherine (O’Sullivan) Fitzgerald. He was raised in Dorchester (St. Mark’s parish) with his six brothers and sisters, Josephine, Tom, Jim, Catherine (“Sissy”), Maureen, and Paul. He loved his brothers and sisters, and was very proud of his family.
Jack attended Christopher Columbus High School where he graduated in 1949. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve, in addition to taking a position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, working as a fingerprint classifier. In 1952, Jack was called to active duty in the United States Navy, proudly serving his country during the Korean War. He was stationed aboard the USS Hornet, serving as an Aviation Ordnanceman Petty Officer, 3rd Class. He was honorably discharged in August of 1954.
After leaving the Navy, Jack attended Boston College on the GI Bill, and graduated in 1959 with a degree in Business Administration and Accounting. After graduation, Jack went to work at different finance jobs before joining the Massachusetts Port Authority as an auditor in 1964. He worked the rest of his career at Massport, holding a variety of financial positions, including assistant comptroller, assistant treasurer, director of purchasing, and Assistant Secretary Treasurer. When asked to describe Jack at his 25th anniversary at Massport, his co-workers said he was “unflappable,” which aptly describes Jack. He retired from Massport in 1995. After his retiring from Massport, Jack worked part-time at Carruth Capital for several years alongside his nephews, which he very much enjoyed.
Jack married Mary (“Mim”) Leonard on July 27, 1968, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Jamaica Plain. They made their home together in Walpole where they raised their two children, John Francis Jr. and Mary Kate. He had ten grandchildren – Conor and Owen Fitzgerald, and Michael, Will, Catherine, Helen, Jack, Clare, Mary Kate and Ellie Olohan – who he loved very much, and they loved him back. He was extremely proud of each of them and was always eager to share news of their accomplishments.
In addition to his work and family, Jack was a loyal parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Walpole, and he was also an avid golfer. He was a fixture at the Walpole Country Club where he was a member for close to forty years. Jack was active on various governance committees at WCC over the years.
As his co-workers at Massport described him, Jack was unflappable. He was also fiercely loyal, honest, modest, and authentic. He was someone who you could always count on, someone who cared.
He is survived by his wife, Mim (Leonard) Fitzgerald, his son John Francis Fitzgerald, Jr. and his wife, Kirsten of Bellingham, and his daughter Mary Kate Olohan and her husband Dan of Walpole. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Josephine Noble of Weymouth, Tom Fitzgerald of Boston formerly of Halifax, Jim Fitzgerald of Humarock, Maureen Egan of Boca Raton FL and Boston, and W. Paul Fitzgerald and his wife Joyce of Naples FL and Orleans MA. He is predeceased by his sister Catherine (“Sissy”) Gillis who always had a special place in Jack’s heart. Lastly, Jack is survived by many nieces and nephews who he always enjoyed.
Due to the pandemic and resulting restrictions, there will be no funeral Mass and visitation will be private. A memorial Mass and a reception for Jack will be held at a later date. Interment will take place in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Lourdes Volunteers, 107 Michaels Ave, Syracuse NY 13208, or to the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon St., Watertown MA 02472.
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