Francis Gerard FitzPatrick

Francis Gerard FitzPatrick Resident of Walnut Creek Francis Gerard (Jerry) FitzPatrick Sr., aged 89, was called to join his wife, Mary Dolores, in heaven on December 30, 2008. He was born on November 7, 1919, in Flint, Michigan, where his father, Frank, ran the General Motors assembly plant. When Frank was transferred to Oakland, California, in 1937, Jerry attended St. Mary's College where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in 1942. While serving as a Staff Sergeant in World War II, Jerry met the love of his life, Dolores, whom he married in June 1944. After his military service Jerry attended law school at Boalt Hall in Berkeley but his father, Frank, persuaded him to join him in opening a Chevrolet dealership in the little town of Concord in 1948. Jerry and Dolores leave two sons: Jerry Jr (wife Linda) of Danville, and Dennis (wife Olivia) of Lafayette, eight grandchildren: Lisa Kovakovich of Fresno, Kelly Alcorn of Bodega; Jerry FitzPatrick III of Clayton, and Erin Clare, Casey, and Mary Kate FitzPatrick of Danville; Oliver Caspersen of Monterey, Shea Caspersen of Lafayette, and a great-grandson, Jesse Alcorn of Bodega. Jerry was the beloved son of Frank and Agnes FitzPatrick, and brother of Dorothy FitzPatrick. He loved to golf and travel the world with Dolores, often in the company of family or fellow auto dealer friends. Throughout his life Jerry embodied a simple philosophy that greatly enriched the life of the community he served, which was: love God and do good works. The car business served as his vehicle to give back to the community in a special way. His work with youth sports programs in the county was a labor of love. His involvement in charities - by the hundreds - has left an indelible impression in the hearts of so many people. Among his civic and philanthropic affiliations, Jerry was a Regent of St. Mary's College, Holy Names University, and Carondelet High School. He served as a past director for the Cerebral Palsy Center, the Contra Costa Symphony, the Mt. Diablo Medical Center Foundation, the Concord Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau. The Catholic Church honored him as a Knight of Malta and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1986 Jerry became a Time Magazine Quality Dealer awardee and received the Northwood University Education Award and the Meritorious Achievement Award from the City of Concord. In 2008 Jerry received the California New Car Dealers "Chairman's Award" and became an Ambassador of the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation. "Senior" set the example for 60 years at FitzPatrick Chevrolet of hands-on involvement, patience, encouragement, and compassion for all employees and customers. His non-negotiable business philosophy of "never compromise a principle for the sake of making a profit" created a culture where people were proud to say that they worked not for - but with - Jerry FitzPatrick. A Rosary will be held on Wed., Jan. 7 at 7pm at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 1600 Rossmoor Parkway, in Walnut Creek, with a reception following at the parish hall. A Funeral Mass celebrating Jerry's life will be held at St. Mary's College Chapel, 1928 St. Mary's Road, in Moraga on Thursday, January 8 at 10am, with a reception following in the Soda Center. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, the family greatly appreciates gifts in memory of Jerry to St. Mary's College, Attn: Ron Turner, P.O. Box 4300, Moraga, CA. 94575; or Carondelet High School Development Office, Attn: Sister Kathleen, 1133 Winton Dr., Concord, CA 4518. Ouimet Bros. Chapel (925) 682-4242