Gerald “Jerry” Frederick Fitzgerald was born in Seattle Dec. 7, 1930 to Adeline and Joseph Fitzgerald. When he was five years old, his family moved to Portland. He attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and Central Catholic High School. He worked at Nicolai Door Manufacturing until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. In May 1952 he married Mary Lou Betz; three weeks later he was sent to Korea for a year. On his return to Portland in 1955 he went back to work at Nicolai where he worked 40 years, working in the mill and later holding various positions in the office. His last position was Head of Human Resources. Jerry was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph and Ray; sister, Irene; and son, John. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; brother, Edward; daughters, Celinda (James McGraw), Susan (Malcolm Fylan), Marjorie (Ronald Eldredge); son, Jerry Jr.; and eight grandchildren. There will be a Mass at 11 a.m., with a rosary at 10:30a.m., Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at St. Rita Catholic Church. Remembrances may be made to St. Rita Catholic Church.
