A life-long learner who enjoyed traveling overseas
WAKEFIELD — John Raymond Fitzgerald, age 74, long-time resident of Wakefield, passed on July 30, 2021. Beloved husband to the late Loretta Fitzgerald for over 30 years. Devoted father of Brendan Fitzgerald and his wife, Kailey of Boxford and Nicholas Fitzgerald and his wife, Misty of Reading. Loving Papa to his grandchildren Loretta and Holden Fitzgerald. Dear son of the late Margaret (Brock) Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald of Malden. Brother to the late Maureen Fitzgerald of Malden and Thomas Fitzgerald.
John grew up in Malden and graduated from Malden High School in 1965. He attended UMass Boston from 1966 to 1968. He later served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971, as part of the US Army Central Finance & Accounting Office in Long Ninh. After the Army, he worked at John Hancock in Boston for over 30 years as a Systems Analyst. He later worked for The Savings Bank of Wakefield until his retirement.
John (Fitz/Papa) lived in Wakefield for over 45 years. He was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Loretta, and was her caregiver and rock during her four-year battle with Multiple Myeloma until her passing in 2002. John was a coach and volunteer for many years in Wakefield sports. He never missed a practice or a moment of one of his son’s games and was always first in the stands, despite long commutes from Boston each day. He continued to be involved in Wakefield athletics after his sons graduated, including scorekeeping WHS varsity basketball games for many years.
In recent years, he enjoyed the company of his close friend and travel companion, Catherine Tierney of San Carlos, California. Together, they traveled to several faraway destinations, including Hawaii and England/Scotland/Ireland. He also cherished the time spent with his dearest friend Sara Ericksen of Wakefield, including many late nights spent chatting on his front porch.
A life-long learner, John was a voracious reader. He was well versed in all subjects and enjoyed discussing topics in music, arts, math, technology, politics and sports. He also loved writing and kept a daily journal for the past 50 years, documenting his life and time spent with his family. Above all else, John was most proud of seeing the families his two sons have built and watching his two grandchildren grow.
Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield on Friday August 6 at 11:30 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday, August 5 from 4-7 p.m. The family respectively wishes those in attendance to please wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Loretta A. Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund at the TSF of Wakefield, P.O. Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880 (tsfofwakefield.org).
