Patrick Fitzgerald

Patrick G. Fitzgerald, 86, of Lafayette, died at Creasy Springs Health Campus 11:10 PM Wednesday December 3, 2014 where he had been a patient since October. Mr. Fitzgerald was born in Lafayette September 30, 1928, the son of John and Stephenia Altepeter Fitzgerald and was a 1946 graduate of Stockwell High School. He married Mary Lou Austin at St. Mary Cathedral November 30, 1957, and she survives. Mr. Fitzgerald joined Farm Bureau Insurance as a claims adjustor in 1953, retiring in 1990 as a Unit Claims Manager. Since 1990, he had been a part time employee at the Purdue Birck Golf Course, retiring in 2005. Patrick was a Korean War veteran, serving with the 101st Div. and the North East Air Command in Goose Bay, Labrador. He was a 30 year Army Reservist, having commanded three local units including the 300th S & S Br. His last assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics with the 123rd #RCOM at Ft. Harrison Indiana. Mr. Fitzgerald was a 1972 graduate of the Command and General staff College. He served as Ombudsman for the Employee Support of Guard/Reserve from 1996 to 2005 for the Department of Defense. He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, Knights of Columbus, life member of the Reserve Officers Association, Indiana State Adjustors, American Legion Post 11, MOAA and Indiana Farm Bureau. Patrick loved to read, and enjoyed attending Central Catholic football and baseball games. Surviving with his wife is a daughter, Cheryl A. Jonker (Steven) of Lafayette; three sons, John S. Fitzgerald of Cincinnati, OH; Robert P. Fitzgerald (Debbie) of Lemont, IL and Paul T. Fitzgerald (Candace) of Lafayette, IN; and by three brothers, Larry Fitzgerald (Marge) of Lafayette, IN; Steve Fitzgerald (Charlene) of Ann Arbor, MI and Max Fitzgerald (Nancy) of Lafayette, IN. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Matthew Jonker, Melissa Summers (Chad), Katlynn, John, Ryan and Drew Fitzgerald and by one great-granddaughter, Brooklynne Summers. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Vincent, Donald, Robert, Richard and Timon Fitzgerald. The Rosary will be recited at 3:45 PM Monday, followed by visitation until 7:00 PM Monday at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St. Lafayette. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Cathedral 10:30 AM Tuesday, Fr. Joshua T. Bennett officiating, with interment following in St. Mary Cemetery with American Legion Post 11 military rites. If friends desire, memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com.