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William Fitzgerald Obituary
Who served as Ambassador to Ireland under the first President Bush, died suddenly and peacefully January 5, 2006 at the age of 96. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1931, attended Harvard Law School, and served in the Navy during World War II, before embarking on a long and active career in investments and philanthropy. He variously served as a senior partner at Hornblower Weeks, Vice Chairman of Financial General Bankshares, and Chairman of North American Housing Corporation. His many charitable interests included service as Vice Chairman of the African Development Foundation, as a Trustee of the Corcoran Gallery, Chairman of the White House Preservation Fund, and Treasurer of the Atlantic Council. He is the senior member of the order of Malta in the United States. He supported the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Washington Tennis Foundation, where he established a program to mentor inner city children, in addition to scholarships for disadvantaged children in the Washington Archdiocese. Together with his wife he established a program to send U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen to study at Oxford University. He has also been active in graduate affairs at the academy. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Annelise; his son Desmond FitzGerald of Greenwich, CT; his daughter Anne F. Slichter of Champaign, IL; and five grandchildren. The funeral is scheduled for 10:30 Monday, morning at St. Matthews Cathedral.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Fitzgerald
Rene Morgan
January 31, 2006
Dear Annelise: Don and I were great admirers of your wonderful husband, Bill. He had such amazing vitality and such joie de vivre-everything and everone interested him and he was determined to use his mind to learn something new each year. He made a strong impression on both of us and I will always cherish the time the four of us had together during our seven years as your neighbors on Bancroft Place. He absolutely adored you and I hope and pray that this knowledge is a comfort to you now.
Our love to you dear Annelise and your children. I miss you and think of you often.
Rene Morgan
Martha and Neil Chayet
January 18, 2006
Annelise -
We were very sad to hear of Bill's passing and we wanted you to know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time. As your summer neighbors, we will all miss him very much. Such an elegant gentleman! With warm regards, The Chayets
Donald Morgan
January 8, 2006
Dear Annalise,What a great pleasure it was to know your Bill, as a neighbor for several years, a tennis partner, and friend. He was an inspiration to Rene and me, courteous, wise, energetic and kind. His commitment to taking on each year a challenging new activity, such as chess in his early 90s, was extraordinary. We are happy to have many fond memories of him, as we are sure do you.
Linda & Ed Feulner
January 8, 2006
Dear Annelise, Bill's wise counsel and advise over many years has helped so many of us, in so many areas. At Heritage, in discussing international affairs, and in supporting both my late father's and my membership in the Order of Malta, he was a solid rock on which we could always depend. We are profoundly grateful to him for so much in so many areas of our lives. We know that he is in a better place now with the Lord, but we still mourn his passing and send you our love.
Henry Lane Hull
January 8, 2006
Dear Annelise,
Our love and prayers to you and your family. The wealth of good deeds which you and dear Bill have done over the course of your marriage can be known only to the Almighty. May his soul rest in peace and may you always find peace and consolation in his memory.
Lisa and Henry Lane Hull
Marion von Hagen Kober (Denby)
January 7, 2006
I am grateful to have been able to know Bill and you over all my years in DC. My thoughts are with you,
fondly Marion v. H. Kober
Mary and Ron Skates
January 6, 2006
We will always cherish your friendship and wise counsel.
Noreen and Mike Falcone
January 6, 2006
Dear Annalise and Family,
What a great privilege it has been to know Ambassador Fitzpatrick.
His life has enriched our country and our Church.
We in the Order of Malta will be forever grateful for his long devotion to our mission.
Mike and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Noreen Falcone
Tim & Barbara Murphy
January 6, 2006
Annelise,
You know how much this saddens us. We loved Bill so as we love you. Ourprauers are for you now and for your strength to carry through the next few days.
Barbara
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