Richard David FITZPATRICK

FITZPATRICK, Richard David Richard David Fitzpatrick. It is with the greatest sorrow we announce the passing of Richard David Fitzpatrick, 77, of Wethersfield, CT, yachtsman, pilot, and inventor. Born in Hartford, CT, on November 22, 1932, he was the son of the late Richard Fitzpatrick and Mary (Hiagum) Fitzpatrick. Richard was member of Wethersfield High School class (1951) and graduate of Gettysburg College (1956). After graduating college, he served his country as a U.S. Naval Aviator. Richard began his naval career flying P2V-3 Neptune's on anti-submarine patrols deployed from Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland and Morocco as a member of the VP-8 (Tigers) squadron. He then moved on to fly fighter aircraft to include: the F2H-3 Banshee, F3H-2 Demon, and finally the F4B-Phantom II with VFA-41 (Black Aces) serving on the U.S.S. Independence (CV-62) and U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42). Upon discharge from the Navy, Richard took a job with Paine Webber Jackson and Curtis as an investment broker. His love of sailing took him away from Wall Street to found the Quint Marine Corporation (QMC), where he spent many years developing and distributing marine hardware accessories. He later expanded his business to include underwater maintenance services to the U.S. Coast Guard. Richard was also a Captain in the First Company Governor's Foot Guard serving as Liaison Officer to former Governor John Dempsey and appointed escort to the French Ambassador during Connecticut's celebration of Rochambeau Day. Richard was a member of Hospitality Lodge 128 AF&AM and served the Wethersfield community through a multitude of programs initiated by the Masonic fraternity. Additionally, Richard volunteered as an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 85 in Wethersfield and as housing committee chairman for the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Zeta Lambda Chapter at the University of Connecticut. He is survived by his wife, Judy Brooks (Richards) Fitzpatrick; his son, Montgomery Anderson Fitzpatrick and daughter-in-law, Julie Ann (Sheldon) Fitzpatrick; sister-in-law, Wilfred-Ann (Richards) Harper; and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family may call Friday, April 23, 2010, from 5-8 p.m. at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109. A Masonic funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. A graveside service with military honors at the Village Cemetery, Old Wethersfield, CT 06109 will be conducted Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard's name to the Columbia Lodge #25 Education Scholarship Fund, c/o Columbia Lodge #25 AF&AM, 300 Forest Lane, Glastonbury CT 06033-3922. To extend online expressions of sympathy to the family or for further information, please visit farleysullivan.com.