DR. EDWARD JOSEPH FITZGERALD

1934 - 2016

FITZGERALD

DR. EDWARD JOSEPH, JR. (January 1, 1934 – January 10, 2016) age 82, of Washington Crossing, PA passed away early Sunday morning. Beloved son of Edward Sr. and Anna Petrone. He is survived by his wife Anita; his children Edward III "Ward" (Kathy) of Haverford, PA, Jennifer Rohmeyer (Paul) of Belle Mead, NJ, Christine Fitzgerald Schmidt (Steven) of Philadelphia, Anna Fitzgerald of Alexandria, VA and 7 grandchildren. He was further survived by his sister Eleanor Schmidt of Warminster; brothers Robert Fitzgerald of NE Philadelphia and Dennis Fitzgerald of Warrington, and scores of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Ed was born in Philadelphia and lived on Pratt St. with his family above his father's restaurant, Fitzgerald's Bar and Tavern. Following the pre-mature death of his mother, they moved to East Falls and lived with extended family. After his father remarried (Vera), they moved to Northeast Philadelphia where he attended North Catholic High School and participated in football, baseball and drama. Earning high honors, he was accepted to the University of Georgetown in Washington DC. Upon graduation in 1955, Ed was enlisted as an officer and cryptographer in the United States Army serving through-out Europe in the aftermath of the Korean War. Returning to the United States, Ed was admitted to the Temple University Dental School where he graduated in 1964.
He established his practice in the Burholme/Fox Chase section of Northeast Philadel-phia. He and his wife of 53 years, Anita, raised their 4 children in Northeast Philadelphia and Huntingdon Valley, PA. In 1976, they, with other family members, acquired The Buccaneer and The Palm Crest motels in North Wildwood, NJ, where the family spent summers until 1999.
Ed, an active member of St. Hilary's parish in Rydal and St. George's parish in Titusville, was a true patriarch to his family and community. He was generous and unfailing in his commitment and service to his loved ones, neighbors and the Church.
He succumbed Sunday to an over 20 year battle with cancer and emphysema, including a medical determination of terminal small cell lung cancer in 2004 only to be saved "through the intercession of St Padre Pio"...and providing an example to all that "life is worth fighting for".
His family will receive friends on Saturday January 16 at 9 A.M. at St George Roman Catholic Church, 1370 River Rd., Titusville NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed's name to St Jude Hospital, Nashville, TN, or Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
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