Thomas Allen Fitzgerald

Thomas Allen Fitzgerald passed away on Feb. 13, 2017. Tom was born in Torrance, California on Oct. 18, 1923, the first of two sons, to Augustus J. Fitzgerald and Margaret Fitzgerald (Boone). He graduated from Narbonne High School in Los Angeles in December 1941. Tom enlisted in the Army Air Force in January 1942 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in July. He shipped to Europe in November 1943 as part of the 447th Heavy Bomb Group, based in Rattlesden, England. As a B-17 bombardier aboard his airplane, the "Ground Pounder," he flew 30 missions over Nazi Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He declined a Purple Heart after being injured during a raid over Friedrichashafen, Germany. After the war, Tom married Mary Helen Hein of Fairview, Oklahoma. Using the GI Bill, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in geology from the University of New Mexico. He was hired by Humble Oil Company upon graduation. Later bought by Exxon, Tom held a distinguished career with Exxon, retiring from the company in 1979 as the company’s chief geologist. He and Mary Helen moved to Old Town Alexandria in 1979 to begin a new career with the World Bank. Tom was an active parishioner of St. Mary Catholic Church. As a geologist for the bank, Tom traveled to more than 100 countries on six continents. Tom is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Helen and his daughter, Mary Patricia (Patsy) Tracey. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Carol Fitzgerald of Austin, TX, his granddaughter, Merissa Gremminger of Seattle, WA, his grandson, Shawn Gremminger, of Falls Church, and four great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church at 310 South Royal Street in Alexandria at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, with reception to follow.