Paul John Fitzpatrick

Paul John Fitzpatrick, 77, of Alden, Michigan died Monday, April 11, 2011 at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City with his family by his bedside. He was born January 25, 1934 in Detroit, MI, the son of Frank and Grace (Van Loon) Fitzpatrick.

Paul grew up in Northwest Detroit and graduated from University of Detroit High School and the University of Detroit. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in the final years of the Korean War. On December 26, 1960, he married the former Sharon Haley of Grosse Pointe, MI. Paul worked for Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors in Detroit and moved to the New York zone office in Teaneck, NJ. In 1979 he joined the Merrill Lynch office in Garden City, NY where they resided until he retired in 1995 as an Assistant Vice President. In 1996, Paul & Sharon opened the Larkin Insurance Agency in Elk Rapids, MI and made it their own – The Fitzpatrick Agency – in 2000. Together they have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with friends who became clients and clients who became friends.

Paul was a member of AmVets Post #114 in Elk Rapids, a past Director and Officer of the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce and a past officer of the Elk Rapids Rotary Club. When he lived in Garden City, NY he was a Past President of the Kiwanis Club where the annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon he organized was always their most celebrated event, and was a past officer of the Chamber of Commerce and their Citizen of the Year in 1995.

He enjoyed just “Being” on Torch Lake, tinkering with boats and his Jeep, engaging in spirited political discussions, reading, and nurturing and advising young people. His loyalty was unwavering. With a twinkle in his eyes he shared a sense of humor that was his gift to all.

The highlight of every year was summer visits from the grandchildren – Kathleen, Daniel, Caroline and Patrick Sullivan, Haley and PJ Germain, and Conor, William and Grace Fitzpatrick – all of whom knew Grampa always made the best pancakes and chocolate malteds.

Paul is survived by his wife of 50 years, and the four wonderfully bright and loving children they raised together – Paul (Kathryn) Fitzpatrick of Northport, NY, Mary Beth Sullivan of Cranford, NJ, Michael (Megan) Fitzpatrick of Wayne, PA, and Peggy (Mark) Germain of Bettendorf, IA. Paul is also survived by his brother, Robert Fitzpatrick of Oklahoma City, OK, and a sister Margaret of Bradenton, FL. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Francis Fitzpatrick and sister Mary Grace Capuzzi.

Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated Saturday April 16, 2011at11Am from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 143 Charles St., Elk Rapids, with the Rev. Robert J. Zuchowski presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice House in Traverse City or Torch Lake Protection Alliance. Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home, Elk Rapids.