Michael E. Fitzgerald

He was born on September 3, 1937 in Hornick, IA to the late Earl and Sybil Fitzgerald. Michael is a graduate of Morningside College in Sioux City, IA and he also earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University. Before college, Michael served his country in the United States Army.

After graduating college Michael started his distinguished career working for Bell Telephone Company where he designed phone systems for various companies.

In 1978 while working for Bell Telephone Co in Sioux City, IA, Michael received a promotion and relocated his family to Jacksonville, FL and eventually retired from BellSouth.

He was very involved in all types of athletics, as well as an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He played semi-professional baseball in Iowa for the St Louis Cardinals farm team. Michael was an active member of AA in Jacksonville.

Michael was predeceased by his wife Patricia Kay Fitzgerald, his parents and his sister Diana. He is survived by his children Michele Healy (Bill) of Wentzville, MO, Sean Fitzgerald (Staci), Kevin Fitzgerald (Dawn) and Bill Fitzgerald (Kelly) all of Jacksonville, FL; 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; and his sisters Pat Aldrich of Onawa, IA and Deborah Fitzgerald (Eric) of Arlington, MA.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2014 in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 in San Juan del Rio Catholic Church, 1718 State Road 13 N, Saint Johns, FL 32259 with Father John Tetlow as Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Community Hospice of NE FL.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.