Joseph Thomas Fitzpatrick

The Honorable Joseph Thomas Fitzpatrick died Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at DePaul Hospital. Born June 1, 1929, he was the son of Clarence Thomas and Alice Willis Fitzpatrick. He was married for 44 years to Angeline Venuto, who predeceased him. In 2001, Joe retired after 20 years as treasurer of the City of Norfolk. He also served as vice-president of the St. Mary's Cemetery Board from 1992 to 2000, president of the DePaul Advisory Board from 1994 to 1995, and founding director of Coastal Virginia Bank in 1987 and Bank of the Commonwealth in 1971. His career in public service included his membership in the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1975 to 1981. In 1972 and 1976, he chaired the Virginian Delegations to the Democratic National Conventions. The only citizen of Norfolk to be elected Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, he also served as a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1972 to 1979. His life in politics spanned many years and campaigns. Joe was the Democratic nominee for the Second District Congressional Seat in 1970 and chair of the Henry E. Howell Gubernatorial Campaign in 1969. He led the Second Congressional District Committee from 1968 to 1972 and the Norfolk Democratic Executive Committee from 1964 to 1968. Joe began organizing precincts as Norfolk Chair for the 1960 John F. Kennedy campaign. In earlier years, Joe was a volunteer basketball coach at Barry Robinson Home for Boys from 1953 to 1964 and President of the Virginia Catholic High School League Coaches' Association from 1959 to 1963. Recognition of Joe's leadership began in those teaching years when he was named 1962 Coach of the Year by the Virginia High School League. Continuing to win accolades, he also received the Virginia Young Democrats' Outstanding Virginian Award in 1975, the Legislative Conservationist of the Year Award in 1979, and Virginia Treasurer's Association's 1990 Treasurer of the Year and 1995 Commonwealth Award. In 1996, The Virginia Association of Local Executive Officers honored Joe with the Distinguished Service Award, as well as the Virginian Statesman Award, which was created in his honor. A great believer in the value of public service, Joe possessed an unfailing devotion to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the city of Norfolk and his native Ocean View. His achievements were always secondary to a determined loyalty to friends and family. As a staunch adherent of the Fitzpatrick Irish motto, "The Brave yield only to the Brave," Joe often balanced his unrelenting belief in service with a wealth of understanding for doing the right thing. His political acumen a legend, he leaves a legacy of wit, loyalty and tenacity. Joe is survived by three loving daughters, Barbara F. Cox, Kathleen Alice Fitzpatrick and her husband, Edward Pawlowski and Mary Regis F. Williams; and a faithful brother, C. V. Fitzpatrick and his wife, Jackie. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael Fitzpatrick Cox, Tracey Cox Hasick, Carl Joseph Cox, Thomas Blair McGinnis, Paul Fitzpatrick Williams and Katherine Hathaway Williams. He has two great-grandchildren, Taylor Anne Delaune and Ella Marie Cox. Joe is also survived by an extraordinary companion and caregiver who performed her long-lasting duties as a true friend and loving "adopted" daughter, Julie Kerns. The family will long remember her and the caregivers, Mary Perkins, Maggie Baker and Pearle Torrence, who loved "Mr. Fitz" as much as he loved them. The family also wishes to express appreciation to the administrators, doctors, nurses and staff at DePaul Hospital for their kind support and thoughtful compassion. The family will receive friends at H.D. Oliver Funeral Home, Norfolk, from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church at 2 p.m. on Monday with a Mass of the Resurrection by Father David V. McGuire. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to The Barry Boys Scholarship Fund, c/o G. Michael Price, 333 W. Freemason Street, Suite 102, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. H.D. Oliver Funeral Home is handling arrangements. The family will receive friends at the Town Point Club immediately following the committal service.