Rev. Dr. C. George Fitzgerald

1934 - 2023

Rev. Dr. C. George Fitzgerald
July 23, 1934 - July 6, 2023
Rev. Dr. C. George Fitzgerald was born July 23, 01934, to Roland Edward Fitzgerald and Mary Elizabeth Weedman Fitzgerald in Faith, South Dakota, who later made the family home in Glendale, CA. In George's formative years he played trumpet in one of the storied Police Boys Bands marching in Fourth of July celebrations and Rose Bowl Parades. He graduated UCLA in 1956 and Princeton Theological Seminary in 1959, and received a doctoral degree in Systematic Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary.
George's professional life, spanning over 50 years, included being an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, a counselor and family therapist at the Ackerman Institute in New York City, certified by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) as a CPE Supervisor at Princeton Hospital, Director of Chaplains at Presbyterian Hospital, San Francisco, Director of Spiritual Care at Stanford Medical Center until his retirement in 2006, and President of the Board of Editors for Reflective Practice, an annual journal that fosters critical reflection within ministry education across religious disciplines.
George was a strong supporter of the International Congress of Pastoral Care and Counseling, and traveled widely as an ambassador of goodwill for CPE. He was awarded the ACPE Distinguished Service Award following his decades-long commitment to the professional organization.
George married twice. In 1959 he married Mary Lee Hutchison of St. Louis, MO; they had two children, David and Erin. On October 29, 1983 George married Susan Lee Jeffries of Detroit, MI, a professionally trained race car driver, tax attorney, and, later, the principal of her own law practice. They sang together in the choir at Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco where George served as Parish Associate. Early on, for fun they owned a small flower shop around the corner from Old First on Polk St.
George lived a life of adventure, traveling the world and making friends. He volunteered with Rotary International, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and many other service organizations. Upon retirement he found sanctuary and purpose in sharing his life with his beloved wife and tending his garden at home in Alameda.
George's blessings, open-heartedness and gentleness are enduring gifts to all who knew him. In gratitude for his eternal and passionately supporting nature, "Thank you so much for the many blessings you have provided, and may God bless you and your loved ones."
George is survived by his dear wife, Susan Fitzgerald; his son, David Fitzgerald and his wife Michelle of Florida; his daughter, Erin Fitzgerald and her husband Joseph Steuer of New York; his grandchildren: Beatrice and Clara Steuer; and Christopher, Steven, and Amber Fitzgerald. Sister, Adele Gronbach; his step-daughter, Alexis Horn and her husband, Jacques Horn, and his grandchildren, Alexander and Josephine Horn.
A memorial service for George will be held Saturday, August 19, 1 pm, at First Presbyterian Church of Alameda, 2001 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. For further information call Harry Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745). Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services, 510-522-6020.