John Fitzgerald

The Rev. John F. Fitzgerald of 343 George Street, Winchester, Virginia died on April 15, 2014 after a long illness. He was born in New York City on August 13, 1919 to John F. and Nora Mullane Fitzgerald. The Rev. Fitzgerald earned a B.A. in Government at Antioch College in Yellowsprings, Ohio in 1949 and a Master of Divinity from Bangor Theological Seminary in 1963. He retired as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Winchester in 1986. In retirement, Mr. Fitzgerald served as a patient care volunteer, a training group facilitator and a mentor to patient care volunteers with Blue Ridge Hospice. He was also a mentor to “at risk” children with Big Brothers Big Sisters, a volunteer for Concern Hotline and served several times as interim minister at Centenary United Church of Christ. In 2008, Mr. Fitzgerald received The Founders Award for his 17 years of service as a volunteer with Blue Ridge Hospice. Mr. Fitzgerald had served as pastor of United Church of Christ congregations in Winchester, in St. Bernard, Ohio and in Sandy Point, Maine. He was an industrial engineer with the Goodyear Atomic Corporation, was in personnel administration with the U.S. Department of Labor, a methods examiner with the Veterans Administration and a field intern with the National Labor Relations Board. In World War II, Mr. Fitzgerald served in the Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Rome-Arno and Southern French campaigns receiving the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit Badge with two stars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with five Air Combat Stars and the American Defense Service Medal. Mr. Fitzgerald was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth M. Fitzgerald. He is survived by a sister, Frances E. Fitzgerald of Front Royal, Virginia, two sons, Michael B. Fitzgerald of Winchester and John M. Fitzgerald of Chevy Chase, Maryland and his partner, Christine Real de Azua, a daughter, Virginia M. Fitzgerald of Somerville, Massachusetts and her partner, Alison G. Howe and two grandchildren, Brian and Flannery Fitzgerald. A memorial service will be held at Opequon Presbyterian Church on 11 South at Kernstown, VA at 11 AM on Monday, April 21, 2014. The family will receive visitors at the church at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, Winchester, VA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winchester, Frederick and Clarke Counties or a beneficiary of your choice.