Edward Leslie Fitzgibbon

Edward was born in Portland, to Dr. John Harold Fitzgibbon and Elizabeth (Smith) Fitzgibbon. Edward and his wife, Molly (Blair) Fitzgibbon, met as childhood friends and married on August 26, 1949. He passed away of natural causes, in his home, surrounded by those who loved him. Edward loved above all else his wife Molly, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Eager to serve, he enlisted at a young age in the Navy during World War II. After his service, he graduated from Lewis and Clark College—ultimately receiving his Juris Doctorate in Law from Willamette University. He argued cases both in local jurisdictions and in the Supreme Court, many of which resulted in landmark decisions. He was an expert in his field. Although he was a no-nonsense practitioner of his legal profession, he was kind and generous to everyone. He endeavored tirelessly on behalf of all those who sought his counsel.

He loved music, in particular Dixieland Jazz which he would enthusiastically play for his family and friends. He loved cooking, especially Japanese cuisine. He loved genealogy and read voraciously. His intellect was keen, his mind sharp and his heart filled with love during the span of his 94 years. His life experiences resulted in a profound sense of faith which consoled him after the loss of his wife Molly with whom he is now resting in heaven. Our world and that of all those who knew him is painfully smaller with his passing.

He is survived by all his children and the family he loved: Edward “Henry” Fitzgibbon (Ann), Harry “Blair” Fitzgibbon, Margaret Sakuma (Dwight), Laura Fitzgibbon (Michael Salmond), and James Fitzgibbon (Kathleen); 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Molly, his parents John and Elizabeth Fitzgibbon, and siblings Mary Dimick, John Fitzgibbon, Elizabeth Dimon, and grandchildren Edward Alexander Satoru Sakuma and John Peter Fitzgibbon.

A rosary will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2021, followed by a funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. at St. John Fisher Catholic Church. A private family interment will occur at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Please make monetary donations to St. John Fisher Catholic Church (7007 SW 46th Ave., Portland, OR 97219) and send flower donations to Zeller Chapel of the Roses (2107 NE Broadway St., Portland, OR 97232).