Patrick Andrew Fitzpatrick

Patrick Andrew Fitzpatrick, born December 21, 1920, died December 9, 2011. Survived by wife of 67 years, Jean of Citrus Heights, son Rick and wife Carole Fitzpatrick of Coos Bay, Oregon, granddaughter Shelly Losoya of Roseville, and grandson Jesse Fitzpatrick of Citrus Heights, daughter Janis and husband Tom O’Brion of Lodi, and daughter Barbara and husband Bruce Gibson of Orangevale. Surviving grandchildren are: granddaughter Ashleigh and husband Tim Belding of West Sacramento, and grandson Bret Gibson of Orangevale. Patrick’s surviving sister is Pat Maelene Kohler of San Leandro. A Graveside service will be held at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks on Monday, December 19 at 12PM. There will also be a Celebration of Life planned for 3pm, Thursday, December 22 at Centerpoint Community Church in Roseville, CA.

Patrick Fitzpatrick was born in North Baltimore, Ohio and spent most of his youth in Corning, CA. He joined the Navy in 1941. He was at Wake Island when Pearl Harbor was attacked and was transferred to Midway Island where he was a crew member on a PBY that was doing patrol duty in search of the Japanese fleet. On June 3, 1942 while refueling the PBY Patrick’s crew chief had him top off the fuel tank that was normally never done. This enabled the plane to be out on search on patrol two more hours. While doing so the Japanese fleet was spotted seven hundred miles off Midway. They radioed Midway Island and they were prepared for the Japenese fleet. The battle was successful for the United States. Because of this, the war was turned around in the Pacific. Patrick retired after twenty years in the Navy. Then became a mechanic for the state of California. Patrick loved to fly and was a good pilot. He built his own plane. He helped a good friend build two airplanes at the Nut Tree airport. He will be greatly missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary, Fair Oaks, CA.