Richard F. Fitzsimmons

WALLINGFORD - Richard F. Fitzsimmons, ""Fitz,"" 77, of Wallingford, the beloved husband of 55 years to Deborah Bradley Fitzsimmons passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 with his loving family by his side after a long and courageous battle with cancer at the Masonicare Hospice Center.

Fitz was born in New Haven, Dec. 20, 1934, a son of the late Eugene ""Whitey"" Fitzsimmons and Catherine Cannon Fitzsimmons. Fitz received his bachelor's degree at Southern Connecticut State University and furthered his studies at the University of Hartford. He began his 40 year teaching career for the Wallingford Board of Education as an Elementary Physical Education Teacher in 1957. He also coached football at Lyman Hall High School, a year later Fitz moved to the new Moran Middle School, where he taught Social Studies for 13 years. He served as Principal at the Robert Early Middle School, served as Principal at Pond Hill School and later at Rock Hill Elementary School until his retirement in 1997. He enjoyed officiating at high school and college football and basketball games. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a former member of the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Committee and had been named Wallingford Administrator of the Year. He loved to travel, and spending time at the family residence on Cape Cod. On many Saturdays, Fitz could be found at the Yale Bowl with his friends, and was also an avid Boston Red Sox fan. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church for many years, was a past board member of the Wallingford Credit Union and a member of the Wallingford Lodge of Elks No. 1365.

In addition to his wife, Deborah, he is survived by his daughter, Debra F. Sitter and her husband, Steven T., of Williams Bay, Wis.; his son, James C. Fitzsimmons and his wife, Megan B., of Wallingford; his four grandchildren, Caitlin D. Sitter, Jamie A. Sitter, Colin A. Fitzsimmons and Sean A. Fitzsimmons; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Gene Fitzsimmons. Richard was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

His family would like to thank the staff of the Masonicare Hospice Center for their loving care and compassion.

His family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St. Ext., Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 4 until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19, from The Wallingford Funeral Home at 9 a.m. when the funeral cortege will proceed to Most Holy Trinity Church, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery in Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to the Masonicare Home Health Care and Hospice, 33 North Plains Industrial Road, Wallingford, CT. 06492 or the Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington Street, Wallingford, CT. 06492.

www.wallingfordfh.com