Reverend Monsignor Joseph M. Fitzgerald

FITZGERALD Reverend Monsignor Joseph M. Fitzgerald, age 77, longtime pastor of Saint Lawrence Church in Shelton, entered into rest on Sunday, December 4, 2005, surrounded by his loving family at St. Vincent's Hospital, in Bridgeport. He was born in Ansonia, on September 14, 1928, the fourth of six sons of John and Mary Fitzgerald, and grew up in Shelton. He attended St. Joseph's Grammar School and Shelton High School, where he served as junior and senior class president and was an accomplished baseball player. He later studied at Fairfield Prep and St. Philip Neri Seminary in Boston, and went on to graduate in 1954 from Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Md. with a B.A. in Philosophy and English. He completed the theology program at Mt. St. Mary 's Seminary and was ordained on May 3, 1958 in Saint Augustine's Cathedral by Lawrence Cardinal Shehan, first Bishop of Bridgeport. His first two assignments were at two Bridgeport parishes, Saint Mary's, where he also served as temporary administrator, and Saint Patrick's. During this time, he was also a chaplain of the Connecticut National Guard. Following service as U.S. Army Captain and Chaplain in Fort Benning, Ga., he returned to the diocese and served as chaplain at the former Saint Joseph Hospital in Stamford. From 1963 until 1974, Monsignor Fitzgerald served at a number of parishes, including St. Mary's in Stamford; Our Lady of Grace in Stratford, where he also served as temporary administrator; and Saint Joseph's Parish in Brookfield. During those years he served as the priest advisor to the Juvenile Court in Bridgeport, and was named the vicar of Vicariate IV (Bridgeport-Fairfield area), with residence at Saint Theresa, Trumbull. In 1974, Monsignor Fitzgerald was appointed 5th pastor of Saint Lawrence Parish. For the next thirty years, buoyed by his wonderful Irish wit, his simplicity, and a clear, straight-forward faith, he helped the parish blossom. The parish grew from 1300 to 2900 families during his tenure, and he oversaw the refurbishing of both the interior and exterior of the church, the building of a new rectory, the preservation and transformation of the historic old rectory into quarters for the Religious Education Office, and the revitalization of St. Lawrence School. Monsignor Fitzgerald was always a commanding presence, a familiar and well-loved figure who provided spiritual guidance to the parish he loved so much. At the time of his retirement on June of 2004, Monsignor Fitzgerald reflected on his years at the parish, calling Saint Lawrence, "a treasure of God's love and presence. I sincerely hope the next pastor enjoys the parish as much as I did." In 1991, Monsignor Fitzgerald was named Prelate of Honor, with the title of Monsignor, by Pope John Paul II. Following his retirement, Monsignor Fitzgerald lived at the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy retired priests' residence in Stamford, while assisting at Saint Gabriel Parish. He is the beloved brother of Jack Fitzgerald and Donald Fitzgerald; he is also survived by his sisters-in-law Jean, Virginia, and Ann Fitzgerald; and is survived by many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, a sister-in-law, Nancy Fitzgerald.Edward, Francis, and William Fitzgerald, and The Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. The Reverend Monsignor Fitzgerald will be received at St. Lawrence Church on Thursday at 2 p.m. and friends may greet the family at St. Lawrence Church from 2 until 7 p.m. A Parish Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 7 p.m. On Friday, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop William Lori at St. Lawrence Church at 10 a.m. Burial will follow with full military honors at Mt. St. Peters Cemetery in Derby. At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Monsignor Joseph M. Fitzgerald Memorial Fund to benefit St. Lawrence School, c/o Joanne Rodgerson, St. Lawrence Church Rectory, 505 Shelton Ave, Shelton, CT 06484.