MISSOULA - Michael Anthony FitzGerald, 53, of Missoula, MT, passed away on September 4, 2023, following a prolonged struggle with colon cancer. As determined in his fight with the disease as he was in his professional life, Michael defied the odds to outlive his original prognosis and win critical years with his wife, two children, family, and many friends.

Michael was born on March 31, 1970, in Rochester, MN, to Michael and Margaret FitzGerald. He was raised in Skaneateles, NY, and attended high school at Portsmouth Abbey School. He graduated from Hobart College and lived in Budapest, Hungary, before returning to the U.S. and relocating to San Francisco, where he met his future wife, Catherine Jones. Michael earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. While in graduate school, he taught himself computer programming. He then worked as a software developer in Boise, ID, while writing a novel, Radiant Days, published in 2007.

Following the births of their two sons, Ignatius and Eamon, Michael and Catherine settled permanently in Missoula. In 2010, Michael and two partners founded the software company Submittable. Michael served as Submittable's CEO until 2020, growing the company from a three-person startup to employing more than 100 people, with millions of users worldwide.

Outside of his professional life, Michael enjoyed skiing, running, writing, reading, and following the Buffalo Bills.

He will be remembered not only for his remarkable professional achievements but for his fierce devotion to his family and the generous good humor he extended to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Michael is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their two sons, Ignatius and Eamon. He is also survived by his parents, Dr. Michael and Margaret FitzGerald; and his siblings, Megan FitzGerald, Brendan (Tsam Lim) FitzGerald, Patrick (Jennifer) FitzGerald, and Maura (Mike Yaple) Blacker and his mother-in-law, Estelle Jones.

A ceremony to celebrate Michael's life will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023 at 10am, at St. Mary's of the Lake in Skaneateles, NY. Following the service, a reception will be held to honor his memory. A memorial service in Missoula will be scheduled at a later date.

Michael's family extends a special thanks to Dr. Nancy Kemeny and her team at Memorial Sloan Kettering. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Missoula Food Bank or the Missoula Ski Education Foundation.

Michael would also encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy.

To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Missoulian on Sep. 9, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael FitzGerald

Sponsored by Robert D. Gray Funeral Home.

9 Entries

Joey

June 13, 2024

So many good memories with Mike. I regret not staying in touch. My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.

Thomas Aiello

September 12, 2023

Mike and Margaret,
Our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your son,
Tom and Terry Aiello and family

Patsy O'Keefe

September 9, 2023

Dear Michael, I got to know you when my Granddaughter, Lily Easton, was racing with your sons on the Snowbowl ski team. You were a very nice man. I aways admired your tough fight you waged with cancer. I think of you often.
God bless you! and your family. Patsy O'Keefe

Mary Johnson

September 9, 2023

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Debbie Swanson

September 8, 2023

Dr Fitzgerald and family so saddened by your son´s death. Prayers sent to you and your family. Debbie Swanson

Danielle Greaves

Planted Trees

Mary Dadey

September 7, 2023

Fitzgerald family. So sorry to hear about Michael. RIP Michael.

ERIKA HANSON BROWN

September 6, 2023

Michael's contribution to the world was "insanely valuable" -- a term that he coined.
I knew Michael because I founded Colontown, an online colorectal cancer patient community. In those days of building the community, I knew everyone who joined.
Michael was - in my book - one of the real gems that I got to know.
I marveled at how determined he was -- flying back and forth between Missoula and New York for his HAI pump refills, more times than I can imagine. I had been a patient, and I could barely make it across the street -- much less get on a plane and fly 4000 miles.
I wondered at how any one person could really do that, but he did.
He did it with great humor and spirit --and was always trying to help someone else. He made enduring friendships with those other patients in the waiting room at MSK.
Other patients adored Michael, it is easy to see why.
I have now known two CRC GREATS from Skineatles: the late, great Kate Murphy (the muse of the ACOR colon list), and the wonderful Michael Fitzgerald.
I am so sad to learn of his death.
My best wishes to his adored family and his wonderful network of friends.
He was a star.
erika hanson brown
founder of Colontown and ONE CANCER PLACE