John R. Fitzgerald

John R. Fitzgerald, 92, of Virginia Beach, VA., passed away on Wednesday Dec. 01, 2010. John was born on 12 June 1918 to Lena Johnson (Fitzgerald) Schoenborn and Peter J Fitzgerald in Albany NY. He is preceded in death by his wife Abbie G. Rowe (Fitzgerald) and his sister Marion F. Short. He was known by his stepfather’s name of Schoenborn until he joined the US Navy. John Fitzgerald enlisted in the US Navy in Dec. 1935. After recruit training he reported to USS VEGA (AK17) for duty and later in USS Cincinnati (CL6) where he was advanced to the rank of First Class Petty Officer. Honorably discharged in Aug. 1941, he reenlisted following the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 29, 1941 at Sub Base New London, CT. Following Packard Marine Engine School he reported for duty aboard PC493 and subsequently to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In Oct. 1944 he reported for duty in USS Menominee (ATF73) where he was selected as a Chief Petty Officer. At wars end he saw shore duty at Naval Hospital Sampson, NY. and soon after reported for duty aboard USS Manchester (CL83) at Boston Massachusetts. After a tour aboard USS Escape (ARS6) he reported for shore duty at the US Panama Canal Zone where he accepted a commission as Navy Chief Warrant Officer. After a tour of duty aboard USS Shakori (ATF162) and USS Boston (CAG1) he retired from the Navy in 1960 at the rank of CWO4. He then received his Coast Guard license as a Marine Engineer and worked for over 35 years in the Norfolk area for Gulf Atlantic, Moran Towing and Curtis Bay. John R. Fitzgerald is survived by his daughter Gail F. Edson of Hyde Park NY., his Son John R. Fitzgerald II of Virginia Beach, VA., two Grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6-8 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 Virginia Beach Blvd. Funeral services will be on Thursday Dec. 9, 2010 at 11am at the funeral home, where there will be full military honors provided by the U.S. Navy. Burial will be in the family plot in Shandaken, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local food bank.