Thomas John Fitzgerald

Thomas John Fitzgerald passed away on February 28, 2026 at St. Jude’s hospital in Fullerton California. Tom was born on June 8, 1937 to Tom and Esther Fitzgerald in Oakland. He was the oldest of two brothers. Raised in Bakersfield, California he attended Garces High School. He went on to the University of California, Berkeley and majored in business administration. It was there that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Conrady. They married after he graduated and welcomed two daughters. They raised their family in Anaheim where he became actively involved in their church. Tom had a very strong faith and a joy for life. He enjoyed gardening, golfing, and sailing with his family on their boat, taking several trips to Catalina Island. He and Elizabeth enjoyed seeing plays, musicals and the symphony. He took a very active interest in his grandchildren’s lives.

Throughout his professional life he was regarded as a man of high integrity by his colleagues and respected in his field. He embarked on a successful career in human resources, that included successfully negotiating contracts with management and labor for the companies he worked for including Aerojet General, Johnston Pump/General Valve and TTX Railroad Company, Calpro Division. When Johnston Pump was relocating to Texas, he was the first employee asked to move with the company. When his wife’s health didn’t permit the relocation, he was offered to work remotely to continue his role with the company. As General Manager at TTX he was asked several times to postpone his retirement.

He was loved and respected by his friends and family and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth, two daughters Katie (Kevin) and Kelley (John) and his grandchildren George and Betsy. He is also survived by his younger brother, Dave Fitzgerald and wife Kathy, and nephews Kevin and Mark, and also his sister in law Madeleine Conrady, and nephews, Rufus and Bret.

In lieu of flowers, you can honor Tom’s memory by making a donation to Tom’s High School:

Garces Memorial High School

2800 Loma Linda Drive

Bakersfield CA 93305

Attn. Lou Ann Durrett

OR

Tom’s Hospice Care:

Providence at Home TrinityCare Hospice Foundation

https://catch.give.providence.org/campaign/664356/donate