Martin Luke Fitzgerald

He was preceded in death by his father Marvin Leonard Fitzgerald, mother Mabel Marie Groff Fitzgerald and brother Michael Scott Fitzgerald. Marty is survived by his wife Pamela Jean Klett Fitzgerald, two daughters Makenna Lanea and Presley Marie and a step-daughter Stephanie Renee, two older brothers Mark Leonard Fitzgerald, Mathew Lee Fitzgerald, a sister Michele Fitzgerald Delp (Ronald). In addition to his siblings Marty is survived by his three brother-in-laws, William Joseph Klett (Andrea); Mark Anthony Klett (Kristine) Christopher Allen Klett (Theresa);three sister-in-laws, Mary Elizabeth (Klett) O’Hara (David) Rebecca Anne (Klett) Page (Jack) and Scarlett Melissa (Klett) Shannon (James) He is survived by several nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.

Marty was born July 24, 1965 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. His childhood love and dedication of athletic sports led to being a team player which continued into his adult years with his family and business relationships. Marty had drive and a motivated commitment to play team sports. His high school diverse athletic abilities allowed for him to compete in track & field, baseball and football. His senior year, Marty was recruited and offered full scholarship by several top football programs those to include Annapolis, West Point as well as the other Ivy Leagues Universities. Marty signed a letter of intent to attend and play football at NC State. After completing his sophomore year, Marty transferred to James Madison University to further his education and collegiate football career opportunities. While at JMU, Marty was an inside linebacker for a defense that ranked in the Top 20 of IAA nationally allowing for fewer than 300 yards per game. In JMU’s 9-3 playoff season, Marty lead the team with 128 tackles. He was an AP honorable mention All-American, as well as named First Team All-State from Virginia SID & The Roanoke Times. He was awarded the 1987 JMU defensive MVP. He still ranks among JMU’s Top 10 single game tackling leaders, with 23 tackles during the UMass game in the 1987 season. Following Marty’s junior year, he withdrew from university and signed a free agent NFL contract with the New England Patriots. His love for the city of Boston and realizing his childhood aspirations were tragically cut too short as he had suffered a career ending injury on the field. After a time of rehabilitation and reflection, the following year Marty returned to JMU to complete his double major degree in both Accounting & Marketing graduating in May 1989.

Marty started his business career at Quintin Instrument Company in Washington as a Trade Show Manager and continuously drove his professional career forward. From Sales and Marketing Management at Wyeth, to Senior VP of Marketing at Pro-Motions in Richmond, VA, Marty continued to impose his will by landing his most rewarding job at Forma Life Science in Raleigh, NC located only miles from where he had started his collegiate education.

Marty was a dedicated & faithful husband survived by his wife of sixteen years, Pamela Jean Klett Fitzgerald. He was also a proud, gentle and loving father survived by his two daughters Makenna Lanea (13), Presley Marie(15) and step- daughter Stephanie Renee (34).

His family loved his sense of humor and enormous kind heart. Marty enjoyed listening to music while singing with guitar, watching football dedicated to the Philadelphia Eagles and screaming for the Philadelphia Flyers. While entertaining guests, he loved to feed his family and friends with an abundance of “made with love” meals. Breakfast was his specialty which included bringing coffee-in-bed to Pamela nearly every morning of their marriage. In March of 2020, all of his travels discontinued. Marty’s new normal was full of fear, concern for the health, safety and the community’s well-being. The Covid pandemic scare brought the world so much sadness and anguish but he chose to embrace the opportunities. Traveling was replaced with breakfast in bed, wearing PJ’s to work and afternoon delights. No “traffic was horrible” or cold dinner nights; he now ate by candles and china. He learned patience, tolerance, worked through frustrations of vacating his old house, and was “living the life” in a dream-home lifestyle. Mornings always started with a kiss and the evening ended with an “always kiss me goodnight”. Just when he was overwhelmed with fear with what was happening to his world, his love and respect grew even deeper for family. Marty regularly reminded Pamela, “I would never trade my problems for the problems of others.” Marty’s girls were happy and much like his athletic fans, are left with wanting more. “Papa Bear”, “Bad-Ass Hippo Daddy”, and “My Marty Man” husband had the strength of a giant with the soul of a charming romantic. His family will miss him forever.

A Memorial with eulogies followed with a celebration of life will take place 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday March 8th, 2022 at Four Oaks Sheraton 4400 Capital Blvd, Raleigh NC. All stories in any aspect of Marty’s life are welcomed as those memories are cherished.