James E. Fitzgerald

05/15/1922 - 02/27/2011

FITZGERALD, James E.

Passed away peacefully at home, with his loving wife Colleen by his side, on February 27, 2011, after a long and courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He was born on May 15, 1922, in Regan, North Dakota, to James P. and Mary E. (Ritchey) Fitzgerald. At the age of 17 he enlisted in and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After James left the Navy, he apprenticed as a Journeyman in sheet metal. He worked for many years, until his retirement in 1982, with Banner Furnace & Fuel Co. in Spokane. He took great pride in doing high quality work and making sure the customers were happy. He spent most of his retirement years at the family lake place at Greensferry Bay in Idaho where he filled his days with remodeling the home and outbuildings. He was especially proud of his beautiful gardens, which put on a spectacular show of color every summer. He never tired of boating up the river to Coeur d'Alene Lake, or relaxing on the deck watching the Osprey dive for their breakfast and taking in the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the water. For several years he and Colleen wintered in Hawaii where they ran a small women's clothing business and enjoyed the warm sun and sand. James was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Lydia "Lee" (Schumacher) Fitzgerald. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Colleen Fitzgerald; sons Scott Fitzgerald and Jimmy Fitzgerald; daughters Lynn LeMond (Kevin) and Kelly Fitzgerald; one grand-child; one great-grandchild; and two sisters, Irene Ness-Diel of Tacoma, WA; and Clara Pool, of Bismarck, ND, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to: ALSSO (an ALS Service Organization), PO Box 48177, Spokane, WA 99228, or to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to ALSSO and Hospice of Spokane for their loving care of James throughout his illness and their unceasing support of all of us. Please visit James' tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to: