Thomas Edward Fitzpatrick

1946 - 2024

Thomas Edward Fitzpatrick
WAREHAM, MA - Thomas "Tom" Edward Fitzpatrick, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on December 17, 2024, at the age of 78, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tom was born on November 24, 1946, in Danbury, Connecticut, to Margaret (Dolph) and Peter Fitzpatrick. He grew up in Danbury alongside his siblings and lifelong best friends, Marlene (Fitzpatrick) Settanni and Bob Fitzpatrick. From a young age, Tom developed a passion for carpentry, learning the craft from his father. This skill, which he later passed down to his sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons, became a hallmark of his life. His parents often trusted him to remodel their childhood home, knowing his work was skilled, methodical, creative, and precise. These traits guided him through his life, career and legacy.
Tom attended Danbury High School, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Carol Gonsalves. He later attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he was president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and joined the Army ROTC program. After completing his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Tom entered the Army, where he served as First Lieutenant stationed in Huntsville, Alabama. After his military service, Tom and Carol settled in Windham, NH, where they raised their four children: Dawn, Jennifer, Thomas Scott, and Matthew.
After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1970, Tom embarked on an extraordinary 40-year career in the Defense, Aerospace, and National Security sectors. He contributed his expertise to industry giants including RCA, General Electric, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin, and ultimately BAE Systems, retiring in 2009.
Tom's vast knowledge and experience enabled him to excel in diverse roles, spanning engineering, manufacturing, logistics, quality assurance, program management, and general management. Renowned for his ability to rescue struggling programs, he transformed chaos into order and challenges into success. A consummate professional, Tom was revered as an exceptional leader, mentor, and friend. Known for his quiet strength, he listened intently, spoke thoughtfully, and had an uncanny talent for simplifying highly complex problems into clear, actionable solutions. Tom was usually 'the final word' in every meeting.
Tom exemplified servant leadership throughout his career, mentoring countless colleagues with unwavering respect and dignity. He loved serving BAE Systems' mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us" and loved the people with whom he served it. And they loved him.
Family was at the heart of Tom's life. He cherished every moment spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Tom and Carol were ever-present at sports games, plays, recitals, graduations, and weddings. Tom and Carol loved to travel, but their most treasured vacations were those spent with their extended family, sharing laughter and creating memories by the ocean. Their enduring love and dedication leaves a lasting legacy in their family's lives.
Tom and Carol shared a love for the ocean, spending summers at their cherished cottage in Wareham, MA, and traveling the world with their family. After retiring in 2009, they rebuilt their home by the ocean, where they hosted countless clambakes and holiday gatherings. Together, they devoted their time to helping those in need, volunteering at organizations such as the Good Shepherd's Table Food Pantry, Nights of Hospitality, Turning Point, and The Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen. Even after Carol's passing in 2021, Tom continued this mission, serving as Treasurer and writing grants for Turning Point to aid the homeless.
Tom is survived by his daughters, Dawn (Fitzpatrick) Walsh of Sarasota, FL, and Jennifer (Fitzpatrick) Bourque of Londonderry, NH, and their families; his sons, Thomas Scott Fitzpatrick of Windham, NH, and Matthew Fitzpatrick of Plymouth, MA, and their families; his sister, Marlene Settanni of Bethel, CT, and her family; and his brother, Robert (Bob) Fitzpatrick of Belchertown, MA, and his family.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional caregivers who supported Tom in his final days. In honor of his lifelong dedication to helping others, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Turning Point, 3 Viking Drive, Wareham MA 02571 or online at: https://www.turningpointwareham.org/donate.html , or The Church of the Good Shepherd, 74 High Street, Wareham, MA 02571.
Respects can be made at the wake, which will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 4:00 –7:00PM at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Route 28), Wareham, MA 02571. The funeral service and burial will be private. For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com
Tom's kindness, love, and unwavering dedication to his family and community will be deeply missed but forever cherished.