Coach
Gerry Fitzgerald
April 28, 1928 – October 15, 2011
Thank You Note from Joan Fitzgerald, Gerry’s wife
The MetroWest
Daily News Obituary October 18, 2011
NATICK TEACHER AND
COACH
Gerald “Jerry”
Fitzgerald, former Natick teacher and coach, died peacefully on Saturday,
October 15, 2011 at home, with family and friends by his side at the age of 83.
He was the husband of Joan K. (Bennett) Fitzgerald and the son of the late Mary
and G. Joseph Fitzgerald.
Born in Boston, MA
in 1928, he grew up in Dover and graduated from Dover High School in 1945. He
completed his freshman year of college at Ithaca College in NY and then
enlisted in the US Army. He served in both Japan and Korea for two years. Upon
completing his military service, he attended Boston University, graduating in
1950 with a B.S. in Education. He continued his education at Ohio State
University and in 1951 received his Master’s degree in Education. While at Ohio
State, he played football as a linebacker for the Buckeyes.
He began his
teaching career in Natick at the Coolidge Junior High School where he taught
science and coached football and basketball. He later taught at Natick High
School until his retirement in 1989. His students remembered him as an
extremely gifted teacher who was “demanding but fair, who really cared about
student-achievement and worked hard to help students learn”. As a beloved
coach, many of the outstanding Natick High School football and basketball teams
of the 1950’s, 60’s and early 70’s received their “basic training” under Coach
Fitzgerald. One of his former players said of him, “He was a disciplinarian who
taught fundamentals—a no-nonsense type of coach—but his players played hard for
him”.
After 38 years in
the Natick School system, the retired Fitzgerald became the Director of Recreation
for the Town of Hopkinton and served in that capacity for 5 years. He was an
avid and talented golfer for over 60 years and in 1965 won the Club
Championship title at Pinecrest Golf Club in
Holliston. Fitzgerald was a member of numerous social, civic and professional
organizations. He was a life-time member of the Natick Lodge of Elks, The American Legion Post #209 in Dover, The Gridiron Club of
Greater Boston, The US Golf Club Association and a faithful parishioner of St.
Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Framingham.
He had a
gregarious personality, a great sense of humor, a zest for life and many truly
genuine friendships. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
In addition to his
beloved wife, Joan Fitzgerald, he leaves a sister, Jane Golden of Harwich, two
daughters; Helen M. Fitzgerald and Susan M. Fitzgerald, three step-children;
Kathleen Larson Day and her husband Chuck Day, Mark Larson and his wife Meghan,
Sarah Larson and her husband Mike DiPalma,and
many nieces and nephews, his three granddaughters and eight step-grandchildren
all adored their “Papa”.
A funeral service
will be celebrated on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 10am at St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church in Framingham. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery in
Dover. Visiting hours will be held at the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4
Park Street, at Natick Common, Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00P.M.
and from 7:00 to 9:00P.M.
Expressions of
sympathy may be made in Jerry’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or to St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church: Outreach Fund, 3 Maple Street Framingham, 01702.