Ira Brian Fitzgerald

Brian was born on May 13, 1937 in Meota, Saskatchewan

to parents, Ira Roy and Lily (nee Jones) Fitzgerald. He had three younger sisters: twins Margaret Anne and Mary Louise, and Gwendalyn Laura. Their father was a farmer and the children had to travel two-and-a half miles south of their farm to receive their early formative education at The FITZGERALD School, each attending until Grade 8 with further education being completed at the school in Meota. The twins went on to nursing school, graduating from St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon and Gwen worked many years for the Saskatchewan Telephone Company whereas Brian’s entire working life revolved around the Oil and Gas Industry.

Brian began working with Land Rigs for seven years in Virden, Manitoba and Drayton Valley, Alberta. The next forty-six years were spent on Jack-Up Rigs and Drillships outside of Canada; from 1962 as an Assistant Driller in Argentina to working in Kuwait, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Egypt, the Ivory Coast, Malta, Brazil, New Orleans, China and finally retiring in 2008, as a Rig Superintendent in Brazil, at the age of 71 years.

Brian will be fondly remembered as a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, colleague and friend. In addition to spending time with family and friends, some of Brian’s favourite activities included riding his lawn mower, going to auctions and telling inappropriate jokes.

Always an animal lover, Brian was his family’s unofficial dog trainer and took great pride in teaching various pets the command, “Go to your hole.” He was an accomplished home chef, with specialties including barbecues, pancakes and the annual Thanksgiving turkey. Brian’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all those he touched with his sense of humour, kindness, hardworking nature and quiet strength.

Brian is lovingly remembered by his wife Gladys Fitzgerald; daughters Briana Linda Fitzgerald and Kimberly Anne Fitzgerald; daughter-in-law Sandra Garbini; granddaughters Brenda Michelle Fitzgerald and Jennifer Kelly Fitzgerald. He is also remembered by his sisters Margaret Anne Reid, Mary Louise Ancelet and Gwendalyne Laura Lacerte; nephews David (Melodie) Reid, Philip (Yvonne) Lacerte; nieces Rhonda (nee Reid) (Mike) Lyons, Jolene (nee Ancelet) (Ryan) Rickson, Gail (nee Lacerte) (Keith) Hallett and Laura Lee (nee Lacerte) (Lauren) Willms. Brian is also survived by several grandnephews and grandnieces as well as varying cousins.

Brian is predeceased by his parents Ira and Lily Fitzgerald; son Brian Fabian Fitzgerald and his niece Jan Ancelet.