William E. Fitzgerald

William E. Fitzgerald, 87, of 60 Grove St., formerly of South Boston, died peacefully on Thursday, October 2, 2008, in Autumn Village, Worcester, after an illness. His wife of 40 years, Elizabeth R. (Martin) Fitzgerald, died in 2002.

He leaves a brother, George Fitzgerald of Albany, NY; several nieces and nephews, including George W. Duchnowski, with whom he lived for many years, Madelyn M. Grady, and Edward "Chip" Duchnowski, all of Clinton, and Deborah Poulin, of ME; grandnieces, and grandnephews, all of whom were loving members of his extended family, who cared for him following his wife's passing. A brother, John "Jack" Fitzgerald, a sister, Theresa A. Duchnowski, and his twin sister, Catherine R. Duchnowski, predeceased him.

William was born in Springfield, son of William H. and Catherine A. (Whelan) Fitzgerald, and was raised in Clinton. He attended Clinton Schools.

For ten years before his retirement, William worked as a Clerk at the South Boston Post Office. Previously, he worked as a cook at Rutland State Hospital, the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, and Worcester City Hospital. In his younger years, he worked for the Civil Conservation Commission.

He was a US Navy Veteran of WWII, serving on the USS Columbia.

William was as a member and Past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, South Boston Post. He enjoyed listening to music from the Big Band Era, especially Artie Shaw, and loved playing his clarinet. Over the years, he took great pleasure in the accomplishments of his extended family of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He also loved his dachshund dogs.

A proud man, he had a great sense of honor, a generous heart, and was a wonderful story teller. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

A Funeral Mass for William will be held on Monday, October 13, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the CHAPEL of St. John the Evangelist Church, 80 Union St. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. John's Restoration Fund, 149 Chestnut St., Clinton, MA 01510. The McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church St., is directing arrangements.

www.mcnallywatson.com