John Alfred Fitzgerald

Family-Placed Death Notice

FITZGERALD, John John Alfred Fitzgerald, 84, of Stockbridge, Georgia, died Monday, January 5, 2009 after a lengthy and courageous fight against cancer. He was preceded in death by parents Reverend Howard S. and Grace M. Fitzgerald and brother, Howard Fitzgerald. Born in Rouserville, PA on March 27, 1924 he was raised by his father and stepmother, Dorothy M. Fitzgerald after his mother Grace died at an early age. He married his high school sweetheart, Phyetta Fae Craver on April 21, 1945. John served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of World War II. After serving his country he was employed by Delta Air Lines in Erlanger, Kentucky at the Greater Cincinnati Airport. He transferred to Atlanta, Georgia in 1961 with Delta when the William B. Hartsfield Terminal was opened, working as a radio technician and later as Manager Technical Operations Training. He retired in 1986 to the accolades of many who worked for him as "the best Manager to have worked with". During his retirement he and his wife enjoyed spending time together and traveled many parts of the country by RV. He served as Deacon at Salem Baptist Church, McDonough, Georgia and was instrumental in organizing and maintaining the church's worship music library. He loved to sing in the choir and was a member of the church's Young at Heart Club and Singing Saints. His kind, gentle, and giving spirit endeared him to his family, fellow church members and many friends with whom he established lifelong relationships. He loved spending time visiting with his children, the yearly family Florida vacation, but most of all taking care of his wife and daughter, Linda Fitzgerald. He was her "wheels" back and forth to work as Music Assistant for the music ministry at Salem. Even after learning of his cancer and after enduring the often difficult periods of chemotherapy treatment and being retired, he still considered it his responsibility to take her to work in the morning and bring her home in the evening each day. Besides his wife Phyetta and daughter Linda, he is survived by son, John Fitzgerald (Lucy) of Holtville, AL, son, Randy Fitzgerald (Carol) of Fayetteville, GA, daughter, Joetta Johnson, Stockbridge, GA, son, Danny Fitzgerald (Kristin) of McDonough, GA; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Emagene M. Fitzgerald of State College, PA; sisters, Louise Zawislak (Walter) of Georgetown, DE, Marian Franck (Norman) of St. Michaels, MD, Mae Davis of Ohio; brothers, Lynn Fitzgerald (Betty) of Easton, PA, Carl Fitzgerald (Irene) of Pipersville, PA, Dean Fitzgerald of Elk City, OK, Ross Fitzgerald of Las Vegas, NV; sister-in-law, Thelma Ilhardt of Cincinnati, OH; brother-in-law, Charles Craver (Joyce) of Umatilla, FL; nieces and nephews, cousins, and many special friends with whom he shared many memories. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Salem Baptist Church with Rev. Dan McKay, Rev. Roger Waters, Rev. Rick Statham and Rev. Bobby Swafford officiating. Mr. Fitzgerald will lie in state from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Church. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday, January 8, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Benevolence Fund at Salem Baptist Church. Those who wish may sign the on-line guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.