I'm so sorry to hear of John's passing. What a special man!

John was a wonderful friend to my late aunt Mary Bennace. He was a kind and loyal companion.They had many happy moments together.

Sending the best thoughts and prayers , wonderful tribute, Jane

After a very tearful, prayerful day, I am at peace with the passing of my Uncle John,  my godfather.

No person, let alone an 88-year-old, should ever endure the torment of lingering in a hospital bed while the body and brain are ravaged by a terribly painful, agressive, untreatable cancer.

I am filled with peace and love, at remembering my Uncle John as the coolest, most fun and loving uncle and godfather any kid could have.  

He was always up for adventure.  He took my brother and I everywhere as kids, and he took my son (and Aunt Mary) to Ireland, when Justin  was 14.  

He had unforgettable style.  Uncle John drove a Fiat convertible when I was a kid.  He was a confirmed bachelor, with a flair for expensive clothes, cognac and cologne.  He always had a cool story to tell or a gadget to share.  I truly believed he was 007.  I still do.

He took my brother and I on our first trip up to the top of the St. Louis Arch.  For years - decades, actually - Uncle John told the story of my waiting until we got to the top to tell him that I was terrified of heights.  The tram stuck on the way down, and I refused to exit across the scaffolding to reach the ladder down. Instead we sat in a sweltering coffin of a tram car, until repairs were made.  But he kept me calm by asking ceaseless questions about horses and dog breeds, my two favorite topics at the time.

He took Stevie and I on an Amtrak train to the State Fair in Springfield, IL and let my brother bring home (also by train) the live goldfish he won for me in a ring toss game.  Uncle John participated in its burial the next morning.

Uncle John taught me (and my brother and my son) to play chess.  He was a bridge champion.  He knew facts about history and world events to put Wikipedia to shame.  

He listened with great interest to everything I ever shared with him, nodding and smiling to encourage me to push past my shyness, to continue.  He debated ideas to teach us to think critically.  He had a genius I.Q.  His laugh was contagious.  He devoured books, and instilled in us a love of reading.

Uncle John was devastated by the sudden loss of my husband, Joe (on 1/28/2015).  Through his own grief, and despite his diminished health, he managed to make me feel comforted and secure.  I always knew that Uncle John adored me.

On Sunday, when I kissed my uncle's forehead, he opened his eyes and studied my face - then that huge smile lit up the room as he whispered, "There she is!"   

I gently stroked his beautiful head of thick, silver hair, smiled back at those big blue eyes, and silently prayed for him to never suffer another moment of pain.

I thank God for my having known this incredible man, and for the spirit who challenged me to be a better, more knowledgeable person - as I shall continue strive to be, in his honor.

R.I.P. Uncle Johnny!  Thank you, for everything.

OBITUARY

John Fitzgerald

Passed away on NOVEMBER 5, 2015

Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel

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