Edward Thomas Fitzpatrick

FITZPATRICK, Edward Thomas - Halifax. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and Papa on December 21, 2023, in the presence of his loving family. Edward (Ed) Thomas Fitzpatrick was born in Halifax on November 27,1930, the youngest child of the late John and Margaret (Mombourquette) Fitzpatrick.

Dad grew up on Yukon Street in Halifax, NS and attended Oxford School, Saint Patrick’s High School and Saint Mary’s University. During university, Dad was employed at Keltic Lodge, Ingonish Beach, NS, where he established a lifetime of friendships. Dad’s adventurous summers in Ingonish led to a longstanding and most memorable tradition of many family summer vacations at the Highland Bungalows. This was a very special place, where his children and grandchildren would return on many occasions to relive those fond memories.

In 1956, Dad married our mother, Pauline (MacDonald) Fitzpatrick, RN. With our father’s encouragement and support, Mom chose to leave her nursing career and stay at home to raise their five children. Dad and Mom ensured that we were raised in a supportive and nurturing environment. Our parents took great pride that all their children obtained a post-secondary education. Despite his quiet, unassuming and modest nature, Dad was our family’s source of strength.

Dad exhibited a steadfast, quiet, loving and comforting presence in the lives of his five children, 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was affectionately referred to by his grandchildren as the “Fuzzy Peach Papa”. He is survived by his children: Anne Marie (Paul) Fitzpatrick and her son Jamie (Erika); Joseph Fitzpatrick and his children Megan, Sarah, Emilie, Brandon; John (Heather) Fitzpatrick and their children Laura (Louis), Jennifer and Andrew; Mary Elizabeth (Paul) Smith and their children Matthew (Jenna) and Katherine; Andrew (Christina) Fitzpatrick and their children Brody and Chloe; great grandchildren, Sophia and Oliver. Dad was predeceased by our mother, to whom he was married for 50 years, his brothers Jack, Russell, Bill and Vincent, and sisters Marie Spicer, Jean Ashe and Pat Reyno.

Our father was a proud alumnus of Saint Mary’s University and was Valedictorian for the Class of 1953. He was a graduate of Rutgers University Centre of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP).

His distinguished career was defined by his expertise in addictions treatment and by his true compassion for those in need of support, encouragement and treatment. Dad began working in the addictions field in 1967 at the former Nova Scotia Commission Drug Dependency. He was the founder and consultant to the Nova Scotia Employee Assistance Professionals Association and worked with many Nova Scotia organizations to establish Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) policy.

Dad was recognized as an EAP expert and speaker in Canada and the United States. The international Employee Assistance Digest inducted Dad into their EAP Digest Hall of Fame in recognition of his distinguished leadership and pioneering accomplishments in the field of EAP.

He received the Medallion of Distinction from the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse for achievement in substance abuse prevention. He served as past President of the Canadian Addictions Foundation, and he was an Honorary Member of the Canadian Medical Society of Addiction Medicine.

At the time of his retirement, Dad was the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Commission on Drug Dependency and served as Vice Chair of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

Long after he retired, Dad remained a compassionate and caring advocate and a constant source of support for countless people and families who were dealing with addictions.

Dad was a committed and dedicated community volunteer. He served as a former member of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors and Alumni Association Council. He served as a volunteer on various Halifax City Council Committees, was past Director of Point Pleasant Park Commission and past Board Chair of the former Halifax Civic Hospital. For many years he was active in Saint Agnes and Saint Theresa parishes in various roles including Parish Council President, Lay Reader and Minister of the Eucharist.

Dad was consistently described by many as, and he truly was, a real gentleman. Above all else, Dad will be remembered by his family and friends for his loving and caring nature. His unwavering support for his family and his wise, kind and generous nature will be dearly missed.

After Pauline’s passing, when Dad was no longer able to live independently, he moved to The Berkeley on Gladstone, which became his home for five years and where he received exceptional and compassionate care. A special thank you as well for the compassionate care Dad received at De Paul Hall Caritas Residence in the last six months of his life.

Visitation will be held in JA Snow Funeral Home,339 Lacewood Dr, Halifax on Wednesday, January 3 from 6-8 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated by Fr. Patrick Salah in Saint Agnes Church (Good Shepherd Parish), 6903 Mumford Rd, Halifax on Thursday, January 4 at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the parish hall. Interment will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Dad was a true Santamarian and to honour his love of Saint Mary’s, his family has established an award for graduating valedictorians. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fitzpatrick Family Valedictorian Award, Saint Mary’s University by calling 1-888-768-4483 or online at giving.smu.ca, or the charity of your choice.