Gerald Patrick FitzGerald

Jerry was born on August 21, 1940, son of Daniel L. FitzGerald and Marie McShane in Albany, NY. He grew up in Flushing, NY and graduated from Xavier High School in NYC, and Fordham University in Bronx, NY with a degree in Business.

He married Ellen Roche in 1962 and they were long-time residents of Flushing NY, where they raised their family of four children. They moved permanently to Candlewood Knolls in New Fairfield CT, in 2004, where they had previously spent many summers enjoying Candlewood Lake. They also maintained a residence on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where they enjoyed the city experience and staying in touch with their NYC roots.

Jerry had a lifelong career in the Aviation Industry. He spent 34 years with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and was the Director of Aviation when he left the Port Authority in 1996. He then spent 8 years at Parsons Brinckerhoff, a Global Transportation Engineering Company, where he served as the head of their Aviation company until 2004. Upon leaving PB Aviation, he formed his own private consulting firm - Aviation Perspectives , LLC - a transportation marketing and management consulting firm serving public and private clients with a focus on aviation issues, where he had continued until his recent illness.

He was elected by his peers as the Chairman of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), held various national and international Committee responsibilities with Airport Council International (ACI-NA), and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Wings Club of New York. He led various aviation industry study groups to improve airport safety and security, testified before both House and Senate Committees on airport Issues and worked with Congressional staff on the development of legislative language affecting aviation industry matters.

He gave freely of his time to many charitable causes, including serving on the Boards of Catholic Charities, the United Way, and Xavier High School.

He wrote and published a novel drawing on his lifelong love of history and the struggle between religion and politics. “Seat of Power” was acclaimed as “an artfully written thriller” by G.P. Putnam books, and by the Midwest Book Review as “a riveting thriller of power and abuse, and highly recommended”.

Mr. FitzGerald is survived by his wife Ellen of 53 years, his sister Betty Ellingwood of Nanuet, NY, and sisters in law Margetta FitzGerald and Sheila Roche. He is also survived by his son Edward FitzGerald and daughter-in-law Lisa FitzGerald of Garden City, NY and grandchildren Timothy, Meaghan, and Brendan; daughter Kathleen Zentner and son-in-law Russell Zentner of Fairfield, CT and grandsons Ryan, Kevin, and Sean; son Thomas FitzGerald and fiancée Sheryl Calabro of New York, NY and grandchildren Caitlin, Emily, and James; daughter Eileen Veith and son-in-law David Veith of Fairfield and granddaughters Danielle and Jennifer; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, and siblings Daniel FitzGerald Jr. and Maryclare Goss.

Friends may call on Thursday, May 21st, from 5:00-9:00pm at Green Funeral Home at 57 Main Street in Danbury. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 22nd at St. Edward the Confessor Church in New Fairfield at 10:30am, followed by interment at Mountain View Cemetery in New Fairfield. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Xavier High School Annual Fund, 30 W. 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011