Obituary for John F. Fitzgerald
Dr. John F. Fitzgerald, of Fort Pierce, FL and Goshen, CT, died peacefully on July 5, 2021 surrounded by members of his loving family. Dr. Fitzgerald is pre-deceased by his wife, Theresa (LaCourse) Fitzgerald, and a daughter, Kerry Lynn Fitzgerald. He was born on November 6, 1932 in Hartford, CT, the son of Thomas P. Fitzgerald and Eileen (Lovett) Fitzgerald. He leaves behind his son, Thomas P. Fitzgerald of Torrington, CT, his daughter, Kathleen F. Palmer of Goshen, CT, and her husband, Bruce Palmer, and his youngest son, Kevin J. Fitzgerald of Southbridge, MA. Dr. Fitzgerald also leaves behind five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Dr. Fitzgerald is survived by two sisters, Mary Brazel and Sheila Kaminski. Dr. Fitzgerald also wanted to acknowledge the additional “family” that he formed while residing at Geer Village in Canaan, CT for over four years.
As a youth, he attended St. Peters and St. Thomas in Bloomfield, CT. He received master’s and doctoral degrees in Psychology by attending a combination of institutions including Boston College, American International College, University of Hartford, and University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy (continuing education). For seventeen years, he was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the UCONN School of Medicine. Among his many professional accomplishments, was the founding and directorship of the State of Connecticut Courts Diagnostic Clinic. In addition to his thriving private practice, Dr. Fitzgerald assisted and advised many public and private agencies throughout the State of Connecticut.
He was a veteran of the Korean conflict serving as an army medic. In Florida, he served for three years as the senior advisor to staff and residents at Teen Challenge in Vero Beach, FL and, later, provided staff and parent training at the Gifford Youth Activity Center.
Dr. Fitzgerald was a dedicated member of several ministries including St. Helen’s Church and Knights of Columbus, in Vero Beach, FL.
He viewed life as a “school” in which he was to learn spiritual lessons, and thanked his wife, children, and his patients, most of all, for being “good teachers”.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 10:00am at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 71 North Street, Goshen. Friends and family may call on Thursday, July 8, 2021 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, CT 06759.
As a youth, he attended St. Peters and St. Thomas in Bloomfield, CT. He received master’s and doctoral degrees in Psychology by attending a combination of institutions including Boston College, American International College, University of Hartford, and University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy (continuing education). For seventeen years, he was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the UCONN School of Medicine. Among his many professional accomplishments, was the founding and directorship of the State of Connecticut Courts Diagnostic Clinic. In addition to his thriving private practice, Dr. Fitzgerald assisted and advised many public and private agencies throughout the State of Connecticut.
He was a veteran of the Korean conflict serving as an army medic. In Florida, he served for three years as the senior advisor to staff and residents at Teen Challenge in Vero Beach, FL and, later, provided staff and parent training at the Gifford Youth Activity Center.
Dr. Fitzgerald was a dedicated member of several ministries including St. Helen’s Church and Knights of Columbus, in Vero Beach, FL.
He viewed life as a “school” in which he was to learn spiritual lessons, and thanked his wife, children, and his patients, most of all, for being “good teachers”.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 10:00am at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 71 North Street, Goshen. Friends and family may call on Thursday, July 8, 2021 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, CT 06759.