Hey Mr. Fitz. You were my sister’s guidance counselor. We are eight years apart so you met me quite a bit later. Mr. Hurt was my guidance counselor. He was not a nice man, after all.  After something he did, I never went back to him again and only came to see you. You were always so welcoming and so high-spirited. I could see why my sister loved you so much. Thank you for your kindness, your guidance, and your pure heart. Rest peacefully. You are missed.

When I was a sophomore in High School, I lost my mother. For the most part I think I took it well given the circumstances but Mr. Fitz really made sure I felt welcome in his office all the time and truely helped me through everything I was going through, even later on when I was changed to a different guidance counselor. I will always be very grateful for him and how he helped me get through it all. 

It is very hard to say goodbye to an old friend, especially when that friendship lasted for 60 years. In 60 years, never a cross word was passed between us. When I first met Jack, it was because I was dating his sister. As a 15 year old, the difference between the ages, when he was 18 was normally like a generation apart. The friendship was closer than that because Jack was dating my sister's best friend, Carol Benson. A memorable event that cemented this group to become lifelong friends of the strongest kind was a picnic day spent at nearby Belmont Lake Park. We shared each others lives and laughed the entire day. Over the years some of the dynamics of the group changed greatly, but the core friendship never changed. We shared new friends, weddings, children being born and new homes and jobs. For me, I left to go to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, but I always kept in touch with their visiting me and when I had a weekend pass, I would go to 82nd Street on Sunday afternoon and was welcomed like the prodical son returns. In my 2nd year, I had to report to a ship down at the Brooklyn piers. I had so much to carry, so Jack volunteered to drive me there. Two months later, that ship was caught in a typhoon, hit an Island, broke in half and sunk. Uninjured, we were flown back to JFK and when the plane door opened, there was Jack with his green Chevy ready to pick me up.
While I was gone at the Academy, so many things changed. Jack and Carol got married. Paul and Marion were married and Evelyn and Steve became a couple. Sadly, during that time we lost Paul.
After graduation and Marion and I got married we bought a house in Smithtown that was only 30 minutes from Jack and Carol. Thus began an intermingling of our families with celebrations of holidays and special events that continued for 40 more years. And wonderful years they were! I am really going to miss you my friend.

I stopped by the wake today and found what I'd expected to find: A room packed with people who'd been lucky to have had Mr. Fitz in their lives, and I'm sure that room could be filled again many times over. Mr. Fitz had an impact in my life as my Scoutmaster, and I try to be as patient a leader as he was as ASM of my son's troop. I last saw Mr. Fitz unexpectedly 20 years ago while shooting a video for St. Anthony's and I was glad to see he was still guiding and counseling those who needed it. I hope his family finds peace. God rest, Mr. Fitz.

I will always always remember Mr Fitz for his welcoming smiles, big hugs and warm heart.  A big part of my childhood, he was not only one of our school gangs “adopted dad’s” but also a close colleague of my own dad and brother @Troop 399.  He always has, and will remain, a significant contributor to happy NB childhood memories.  My sincerest condolences to you, Mrs Fitz, Trish, John and to all your family xo

Words cant begin to Express the sadness we feel today..Mr Fitz was standing on a dock when my heart was breaking due to a accident my daughter was in.. it was like God put him there just for me.  He asked what was wrong, he hugged me like a daughter. HE told me..go call the hospital..tell them to tell your little girl that u love her and you're on your way..he said he would make the water taxi wait..he never knew how much his kindness helped ground me and comfort me..3 wks later,me and my little girl were in church and there he was...giving the eucharist..my daughter said he was one of the kindest people she ever met..God gained an angel.for sure..God bless Mr Fitz...love Erin and  my not so little girl, Tara. Sincerest condolences to the entire family 

Jack will always be in my heart.
Bill joins me in saying “Rest in Peace”.

Love,
Pat Dougherty

Mr. Fitz was my guidance counselor throughout my 4 years in St. Anthony’s. He was kind, compassionate, and always there to listen and offer advice, whether it be personal or academic. He was one of the few teachers/counselors from high school who left a deep impact on me years after I graduated. I can only hope to inspire my students the way he inspired me. Because of him I say the Serenity Prayer every day. May you Rest In Peace and may your family take comfort in knowing many of us were lucky to know you.

Mr. Fitz was my Guidance Counselor at St. Anthony's during my senior year. He was a wonderful person and counselor, showing true concern for others. I appreciate his sense of humor, laugh, and joyful spirit. I'll always appreciate what he taught me! Praying for Mr. Fitz, his family and friends. 

Jack has been an inspiration for both myself & my son.  He has guided us through some of the most difficult times along with the support of his wonderful wife Carol.  Always available to those that needed him day or night. 
His spirituality & love of God has been a gift that he generously shared with others. 
We will miss you Jack and will hold you close to our hearts always. 💔. Fly with the Angels our dear friend. We love you. We thank you . 

I was first introduced to Jack some 14 years ago
at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
We had a brief conversation about faith.
He responded to me : You remind me of myself
at a younger age.  I then looked at him & saw 
God in his eyes with a smile. 
He responded & said : Wait for the miracle.
It was here then I wanted to emulate his faith. 
A year late he sponsored me on a  Cursillo de Cristiandad,
 which means “short course of Christianity.”
I am eternally grateful.
Patrick  M. O'Regan

Big brother, big laugh, quirky voices used to tell stories, loved to dance the Bay Ridge lindy, took me to sleepovers despite family rules, bought me a toy after knee surgery at 72. Never had a fight and in his last year taught me what a good marriage means.. Will miss you till my dying day and now understand what Rest In Peace means.. Love Evelyn


Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of Jack.
Rest in Peace.

I was referred to Jack by the NYPD Counseling unit and they described him as a "Winner".  "Stick with the Winners"  the counselor cautioned me.  What a winner Jack tuned out to be!  I was intimidated by his Spirituality for the longest time and I like to believe with his guidance I grew along Spiritual grounds and closed on him a little bit day by day.   He had encouraged me to make  a Curcio, Matt Talbot Retreats and with our wives we attended many NYPD Communion  Breakfasts. Pilgrimages to the Bronx to visit Monsignor Dunne who saved both our lives, Inspector Funerals for our fallen Brothers.  Jack will be missed by the multitude of people he had helped and leaves a huge Legacy.  My condolences and prayers go out to  Carol and Family.  There will be many people celebrating the spectacular life that Jack Led.  Rest in Peace Brother and thank you for being you.

Love and Prayers
Vinny and Jenny Lee

OBITUARY

John M. Fitzgerald "Jack"

February 11, 1938 – December 31, 2018

Claude R. Boyd–Spencer Funeral Home

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