Robert William Fitzsimons

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. A reception will follow.

Bob was born February 14, 1939, in Cassopolis, MI, the son of Robert and Margaret Burger Fitzsimons. The family eventually settled in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Rosary High School in Columbus in 1957. After graduation, he proudly served his country in the US Army. He married his wife Mary Jane in 1960 after 4 years of dating. They moved to Greensboro in 1965 when Bob took a position with Blue Gem. He remained through the evolution to Blue Bell, Wrangler Jeans, and finally, VF. He became a loyal fan of the Tarheels but never forgot his love of the Buckeyes of Ohio State.

Bob enjoyed woodworking. His creations adorn the homes of his children and many friends. Upon retirement from Wrangler, he and Mary Jane started Wildlife Wood Products, creating and sending birdhouses, bat boxes, and owl boxes countrywide.

He was a lifelong lover of the game of golf. As a young man, he was a constant presence on the courses of central Ohio whether caddying for legends or competing with those that would become legendary. He remained a scholar of the game throughout his life and loved nothing more than watching the sport or exploring courses.

Bob was a dedicated member of Our Lady of Grace Parish. He was active with the Knights of Columbus and a volunteer for numerous church activities. He also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Greensboro Urban Ministry.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his son, Andy Fitzsimons, and his sister, Mary Margaret Fitzsimons.

He is remembered as a positive and kind person and a model father for his sons. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 65 years, Mary Jane; sons, Michael Fitzsimons (Suzanne) of Milton, MA, and Robert Fitzsimons (Emily) of Greensboro; brother, Kevin Fitzsimons (Linda) of Columbus, OH, and sister, Sharon McMullan of Sanford. He took joy in his 6 granddaughters, Olivia, Georgina, Taylor, Ryan, Anabel, and Caitlin. He held friendships with those from OLG, Wrangler, and neighbors near his heart. The dedicated friendship of Jay and Besty Bumm, and Louise Kemp was particularly special.

The family asks with gratitude that memorials in Bob’s name be made to the charity of their choice.

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