James Austin Fitzgerald

Fitz is survived by his wife, Geraldine Hirsch Fitzgerald, son David Fitzgerald (Bethany Crouch) of Wilmington, Delaware, daughter Maura Fuller (Daniel Fuller) of Delmar, NY, step-daughter Melissa Dimas (Cesar Dimas) of Brooklyn, NY, step-son Eric Kahn of Palm Springs, CA, six grandchildren, and his dog, Finn. He is preceded in death by his wife, Doris Beyerle Fitzgerald.

Fitz, a resident of Bethany Beach, Delaware, was born on June 12, 1941 in West Springfield, Massachusetts to Bernard and Alma Fitzgerald. Jim graduated from the College of the Holy Cross (1962), and then Yale Law School (1965) where he was active in the Yale Democratic Club in the 1964 presidential election. Jim served on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, which included a tour of duty in Danang, Vietnam in 1968-1969, and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”. After his discharge from active duty in 1969, Jim remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 28 years and rose to the rank of captain, retiring in 1993. In 1970, Jim was appointed by the President as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. After several distinguished years there, he joined the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) serving nearly two decades as Assistant General Counsel for Legal Counsel, Legislation and Special Projects. During this period, he took the lead role in establishing the NRC’s Office of Investigations, an office responsible for investigating alleged wrongdoing by the nuclear industry. In 1999, he became the Deputy Director of that office. During his tenure at the NRC, Jim served as a member of the Senior Executive Service for close to 30 years, received an NRC award for Meritorious Service and the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service. Jim retired from the NRC in 2008. After retiring, he split his time between the District of Columbia and Bethany Beach, Delaware, and performed pro bono legal work assisting immigrants through Catholic Charities.

Jim’s first marriage was to Doris Beyerle Fitzgerald, a navy nurse he met in Vietnam. That marriage ended by a tragic auto accident in 1988. Through his unswerving dedication and help from family, Jim was able to raise the children as a single parent despite his busy work life. In 1990 he met Geraldine Hirsch who became an understanding and compassionate partner. They married in 1996 and together they built a loving, supportive life together for themselves and their children, traveling worldwide on many adventures.

Jim was a talented lawyer, imbued with a sense of humor and an inordinate amount of common sense and sound judgment. He had a great love of family, was selfless, and always was ready to help others. He was an active member of St Ann’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, serving as a member of the St Vincent De Paul Society. He was a great supporter and participant in the Washington Ireland Program, as he and his wife hosted Catholic and Protestant college students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to facilitate peace in those countries. Boy Scouts were also an important part of Jim’s life. Jim was an Eagle Scout, Boy Scout leader for troop 439 in Kensington, Maryland, and coordinator of the Boy Scout High Adventure Program for the Adirondacks. He loved hiking, camping, happy hour on the beach, canoeing and coffee.

A wake is schedule for Sunday, November 4 from 4-7PM at Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC. 20016. A funeral is scheduled for Monday, November 5, at 11 am at Holy Redeemer Church, Summit Ave, Kensington, MD Burial will be held at Gate of Heaven cemetery, 32112 Vines Creek Rd, Dagsboro, DE 19939 at 10 am on Wednesday, November 7. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Montgomery Hospice. The family would like to thank Montgomery Hospice and Sister Pat Corby, SNJM for their efforts in caring for Jim.