Paul Joseph Fitzpatrick

“Anything is possible.” That is what Paul Joseph Fitzpatrick believed about life. He was a creative man, an inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Paul thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Paul was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

Paul was born on August 17, 1933 at Chatham Hospital in Chatham, Ontario. His parents were Edward and Aileen Fitzpatrick and he was raised in Strathroy, Ontario. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Paul could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

As a young boy, Paul could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. He had no brothers or sisters so he would spend lots of time with cousins and friends. Always one to laugh and play jokes, he was welcome where ever he went.

Paul was resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, Paul was uncritical of his acquaintances and he was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy. Paul's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his best friends were George and Bill Wallace. Later in life, he became great friends with Bob Carswell, his best friend from GM, Orv Smith, also from GM and his Florida vacation pal, and especially Bill Martin, his Florida retirement buddy and sailing mate.

On June 28, 1952 Paul exchanged wedding vows with Marjorie Marie Steele at All Saints Catholic Church, in Strathroy Ontario. Paul was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Marjorie. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Paul loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Marjorie's.

Paul was blessed with 7 children, Margaret, William, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary Ellen, Frank and Gerald. Paul's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make every day events, even chores, enjoyable to them. When it was time for his kids to participate in track and field events, Paul would build a high jump and challenge the kids to outdo each other. He could always be found outside with them playing hockey, softball, football, whatever game fit the season. Life in the Fitzpatrick household was very lively to say the least. That’s probably why he spent so much time outside with the kids, to give their mother some well deserved rest. Someone who was quick to laugh, Paul found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them. His children could always rely on “Dad” to be there for them, no matter what, to listen to their problems and offer advice, to drive them wherever they needed to go and to make each one feel that they were equally loved.

One of Paul’s passions was music. In his youth he sang in school groups and while his family was young, he played drums in a band in Picton called the Combo’s. Paul was self taught and could pick up just about any instrument he encountered and make music with it. His favorite was the guitar and he loved to tinker on any piano he came upon. Many evenings in his home were filled with music. His children and wife would all join in for the family “jam sessions” and occasionally even the dog would sing along. This love of music was passed on to all his children. He has two sons who sing and play in bands, a daughter who sings in a Sweet Adeline chorus, and another son who writes music and sings in his church choir.

Paul and Marjorie were also blessed with 11 grandchildren, Chris, Rob, Dave, Jennifer, Kimberly, Trisha, Ryan, Randi, Constance, Mackenzie, and Brooklyn and he was the proud papa to 9 great grand kids. He loved to have his grandchildren come to visit and his home always resounded with the sounds of children’s laughter.

Paul's “never say die” attitude and his ability to face any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that Paul carried with him into the military. He was in the Artillery division of the army, stationed in Picton, Ontario. He achieved the rank of Sergeant but was never called to action.

When Paul left the army, he moved his family to Oshawa when he was hired by General Motors. He was employed there for 26 years. Paul always made an effort to be a team player, doing what was needed in order to get the job done. He met two of his best friends, Bob Carswell and Orv Smith, during his years at GM.

Paul's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. Since Paul was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Paul simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were sailing, music, golf, snowmobiling, camping and both water and cross country skiing. Paul was also a great sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were golf, baseball, football, car racing and he would be glued to the TV when it was time for the Olympics.

Paul always made lemonade out of lemons. He loved to tinker with machinery and became a self taught mechanic who could fix just about anything. When one of his sons had an accident in Paul’s Volkswagen, he stripped off the crumpled car body and turned it into a “dune buggy”. Many hours of fun were enjoyed taking turns driving the bug around the fields that surrounded their home in the outskirts of Oshawa.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Paul. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for him. Summer vacations while the children were still living at home would be camping at his favorite campground on Papineau Lake or at Summerhouse Park on Miller Lake near Tobermorey. He would think nothing of leaving work on a Friday night and driving 4 hours on his motorcycle to their trailer for the weekend. In his later years, his travels took Paul and his wife to Florida for vacations where they eventually purchased a mobile home in beautiful Bokeelia. Winters in the sunny south were a great joy to him and he made many new friends including his best buddy Bill Martin.

Paul was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. While the children were growing up, there were always at least one or two family dogs. One of Paul's favorites was Skipper and later on he even grew to love his wife’s cat Garfield, once he trained him to retrieve things like a dog!

Even while in retirement, Paul never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In retirement, he found new pleasure in sailing and golfing. Even in retirement, Paul continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances both in Bobcaygeon, Ontario where he and Marjorie had a summer vacation trailer and in Bokeelia, Florida where they owned a mobile home and spent every winter.

Paul passed away on December 4, 2014 at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, as the result of a stroke. He is survived by his loving wife Marjorie of 62 years, children Margret Allen (John), Bill (Debbie), Liz Holmes (Ken), Joe (Karen), Mary Ellen Godfrey, Frank (Christine) and Gerald (Kathy) and 11 grandchildren Christopher, Robert, Dave, Jennifer, Kimberly, Trisha, Ryan, Randi, Constance, Mackenzie, Brooklyn and 9 great-grandchildren. Memorial Services were held at Courtice Funeral Chapel. Paul was laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery, Whitby, Ontario.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Paul. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Paul was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Paul, material things were not important, it was family that counted the most and he instilled that in every one of his children. He was a wonderful role model for his grand children and his great grandchildren. He touched many lives and will be missed by all. Rest in peace Paul.

* * * * * * * * * *

FITZPATRICK, Paul Joseph – (retired from General Motors Canada) Passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Lakeridge Health Oshawa Hospital on Thursday December 4, 2014 in his 82nd year. Dearly beloved husband of Marjorie of 62 years. Loving father of Margret Allen (John), Bill (Debbie), Liz Holmes (Ken), Joe (Karen), Mary Ellen Godfrey, Frank (Christine) and Gerald (Kathy). Cherished grandfather of 11 grandchildren, Christopher, Robert, Dave, Jennifer, Kimberly, Trisha, Ryan, Randi, Constance, Mackenzie, Brooklyn and 9 great-grandchildren. Donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated. On-line condolences may be made at www.courticefuneralchapel.com