James Fitzgerald

James Patrick Fitzgerald Sr., 86, of Humarock and formerly of South Weymouth, passed away on March 24. Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Mary Kate (Sullivan) and Patrick T. Fitzgerald. He was married to the late Ellen (Kilroy) Fitzgerald.

Jim grew up in Dorchester and was a 1955 graduate of Boston College. A lieutenant in the Navy, Jim served as a Navy pilot, flying a P2V Neptune aircraft. He worked for many years as vice president in hospital administration at Brockton Hospital. He was a lifetime member of the Marshfield Yacht Club and attended St. Anne’s Parish in Marshfield. Jim was extremely proud of his Dorchester roots and his Irish heritage.

Jim is survived by nine children: James P. Fitzgerald Jr. and wife Denise of York, Maine, Kevin P. Fitzgerald and wife Suellen of Westborough, Patrick T. Fitzgerald and wife Maureen of Milton, Daniel J. Fitzgerald of Hopkinton, Paul F. Fitzgerald and wife Michelle of Mendon, John T. Fitzgerald and wife Sandy of Mansfield, Kathleen M. (Fitzgerald) Herlihy of Hopkinton, David A. Fitzgerald of Hopkinton, and Mark J. Fitzgerald and wife Robin of Scituate. He also leaves behind siblings Josephine Noble of Weymouth, Thomas Fitzgerald of Boston, Maureen Egan of Boca Raton, Florida, W. Paul Fitzgerald and wife Joyce of Naples, Florida, and sister-in-law Mary Fitzgerald of Walpole. He is predeceased by siblings John “Jack” Fitzgerald and Catherine “Sissy” Gillis.

Jim will be fondly remembered as Grandpa by his 21 grandchildren: James (“Jimmy”) Patrick III, Kaitlyn, Kylie, Gillian, Liam, Meghan, Shannon, Joseph, Aidan, Brendan, Maryellen, Andrew, Owen, Ciara, Colin, Quinn, Elizabeth, Patrick, Ryan, Catherine and Mary. He also was “Uncle Jim,” “Big Jim” or “Mr. Fitz” to dozens of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

During his long work tenure, Jim was dedicated to supporting the nursing staff at Brockton Hospital, whom he held in highest regard. Throughout his years, he enjoyed fishing and lobstering off the coast of Scituate, swapping stories with friends at the Marshfield Yacht Club, and taking generations of family waterskiing on Monponsett Pond in Halifax. To all who knew him, no visit with Jim was ever complete without some quick witted one-line humor, a glass (or two) of cold beer, and the backdrop of Irish music crackling on a portable radio.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 1, from 4-7 p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. A funeral service will be held at a later date when gathering is safer to do so. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local food pantry.