James Kevin Fitzpatrick passed away on March 25, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was born on March 30, 1945 in Bronx, New York to James "Jimmy" Fitzpatrick and Margaret "Peggy" Fitzpatrick. Kevin attended Manhattan Prep HS where he was an avid basketball player and received Honorable Mention for the City’s 1962 All Star Team. He graduated from Fairfield University in 1966 and went on to complete his MBA at NYU in 1968 before serving his country as a 1st Lieutenant of the United States Army Corp of Engineers. Kevin had the honor of giving the valedictorian speech for his Army Corp class graduation and went on to serve two tours in Vietnam.
Kevin met the love of his life, Eileen McDermott Fitzpatrick, in 1968 and they were married at St. Joseph Parish in Needham, Massachusetts on Sept. 20, 1969. Eileen & Kevin were each other’s best friend and were there for each other through good times and bad. As Kevin would say, theirs was “a love that will last forever”.
Kevin enjoyed a long and distinguished career, spending the last 24 years of it at Helzberg Diamonds in Kansas City. After his retirement, Kevin turned his photojournalism talents to a new venture, his beloved Fitz Chronicle where he documented and celebrated family and friends. Kevin & Eileen also enjoyed traveling, but no place more than Kevin’s home away from home, the Jersey Shore where he had vacationed every summer since he was 8 years old. Kevin loved nothing more than spending time there with family and friends.
Kevin is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Eileen; children: Brendan Fitzpatrick, wife Julie & children: Conor & Cameron; Meaghan Ridgway, husband Kirk & children: Will, Maggie & Ann; Terence Fitzpatrick, wife Kelli & children: Jack, Libby & Ellis; Tim Fitzpatrick, wife Erin & children: Delaney, Kate & Finley; Kevin Fitzpatrick, wife Jada & son Ronan; and Brian Fitzpatrick; his sister Gail Praslick & her husband Ed; and many cousins, nieces, nephews & friends. They will forever miss their cherished and dedicated Husband/Best Friend/Dad/Grandpa/Brother/Cousin/Fitz Chronicle Editor-in-Chief.
His visitation was held 6-8pm on Monday, March 28 at the McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS. Mass of Christian Burial was held at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St, Leawood, KS on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 11:30 am. His burial followed in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, KS. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kevin’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Kansas City Hospice House.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Fitzpatrick family.
