Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) Harold Eugene Fitzgerald

Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant (E-7), Harold Eugene Fitzgerald, left this earth on Saturday, December 31, 2011, at Augusta Health. He was born on February 4, 1935, in Staunton, the son of the late Thomas A. and Cecil P. Fitzgerald. Mr. Fitzgerald was retired from the United States Marine Corps with 22 years of honorable service. He served honorably in various oversea locations around the world that include Okanawa, Japan, Korea, Philippines, and Viet Nam. He saw action during the Korean and Viet Nam wars. He was recognized with many awards and decorations throughout his military career. His statesides assignments were many. He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 2424 where he held many assignments. Upon his retirement from the Corps, he worked at Wayne Tech, United States Postal Service in Staunton, and finished working at Augusta Co-Op in Waynesboro. Mr. Fitzgerald attended Wayne Hills United Methodist Church. He was an avid North Carolina Tar Heel Fan, "Go Heels", and loved to golf, go camping and being with his dog, "Brandi". Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Jean B. Fitzgerald; two daughters, Rhonda F. Hernandez and her husband, Prudencio, of Waynesboro and Evelyn Dee Abshire and her husband, Fred, of Lyndhurst; three grandchildren, Stacey M. Day, Travis Abshire and Cory Abshire; great-grandchildren, Alicia Wade and Avery Abshire; one brother, Aubrey Fitzgerald and his wife, Shirley, of Newport News; sister-in-law, Roberta Goode and her husband, Wallace, of Shipman.

He is also survived by several half sisters and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2011, at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2012, at Riverview Cemetery, with Pastor William Bearden officiating.

The United States Marine Corps will provide full military honors.

Family is requested to meet at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2012, to go in procession to the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Glenn Shull, Matt Coffey, Matt Roberts, Frank Roetto, Steve Kincheloe and David Ball. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wayne Hills United Methodist Church, 932 Fir Street, Waynesboro,VA 22980. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences on line at www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com