Fr. Donald James Fitzsimmons C.S.V

Fr. Donald J. Fitzsimmons, C.S.V. died February 13, 2026 in Arlington Heights, IL. He was born June 26, 1932 in Pontiac, IL, the son of Donald and Iva (Saxton) Fitzsimmons. He is survived by his brother Robert and his sister Patricia Andreatta and preceded in death by his parents and his sister Myrna Fitzsimmons. He pronounced his first vows August 15, 1951 in Chicago, and was ordained May 28, 1960 in Joliet, IL by Bishop Martin McNamara.

Fr. Fitzsimmons graduated from Cathedral Boys High School, Springfield, IL. He earned a B.A. in philosophy and history from Loyola University, Chicago, an M.A. in history from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, a diplôme in religious studies from Lumen Vitae: Institut Science, Brussels, Belgium, and an M.A. in doctoral studies and religious education from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Fr. Fitzsimmons also completed several courses in counseling and intervention. He taught at Spalding Institute, Peoria for the 1955-56 school year and returned to Spalding from 1961 to 1965 as coordinator of the religion program. His longest assignment was as teacher and counselor at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights from 1970 to 1988. From 1988 to 1997 he was a drug abuse counselor at Lutheran General Recovery Center, Vernon Hills, IL. He also served as a substance abuse counselor in the Keys to Recovery Program at Holy Family Hospital, Des Plaines, IL from 1998 to 2001. In 2001, Fr. Fitsimmons retired to the Viatorian Province Center, Arlington Heights, IL.

Visitation will be held at 10am, Friday, February 20, at the Viatorian Province Center, 1212 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL.