James Robert Fitzgerald III, affectionately known as “Fitz,” was born on December 2, 1934, in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY, to the late James Robert Fitzgerald Jr. and the late Dorothy Swain. Due to his mother’s illness, Fitz spent his formative years living with various relatives. He resided with his mother’s sister, Bea Green, and her family in Hingham, MA, spent time on a farm in Montgomery, NY, with his Aunt Jeanette and her husband John Sullivan, and lived briefly with his father’s sister, Kay O’Sullivan and her husband, Donald, in Queens. Eventually, Fitz boarded at St. Ann’s High School in Manhattan, spending weekends with his maternal grandmother in Staten Island.

Fitz graduated from St. Ann’s High School in 1952. After working as a delivery boy for Mishkin’s Drug Store, he decided to pursue a career in pharmacy. He attended the Pharmacy School at St. John’s University in Queens, NY, earning a degree in Pharmacology in 1957. During his time at St. John’s, he met Ann Marie Elliot, whom he married in May 1957. He continued his education at New York University, where he received a Master’s in Marketing Business Administration in 1959. During this period, he also served in the New York Army National guard attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Fitz built a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, working to position new products in the marketplace for leading companies such as Endo Labs/DuPont and Eli Lilly.Ayerst Labs (Wyeth-Ayerst) and Sandoz. He also spent several years as a consultant, sharing his expertise with others in the field.

A devoted sports fan, Fitz followed the NY Mets, NY Jets, and the NY Islanders with enthusiasm. He played tennis for many years, but his greatest passion was golf. Once they became empty nesters, Fitz and Ann moved from their home in Garden City, New York to the house they built in Parrish, Florida.  Here Fitz enjoyed playing  golf as often as possible.

Fitz’s interests reached far beyond the realm of sports. He was deeply passionate about history, with a particular focus on the Civil War and World War II, spending countless hours learning about these pivotal events. He loved music and his tastes covered an impressive range with his assortment of CDs reflecting his eclectic style. He enjoyed traveling, and spent many vacations relaxing on the beaches of St. Marteen. Fitz’s affection for animals was evident throughout his life, as he cherished the special relationships he formed with each of the family dogs over the years. Above all, Fitz’s wife and children were the center of his world. He loved the holidays and spending time with his family, holding these moments as the most important in his life.

Fitz is predeceased in life by his wife, Ann. He is survived by his sister Virginia Hannon; his sons Kevin (Mary Lou) and Brian (Kerry); his daughters Tricia and Meg; his grandchildren Katie (Ian), Tom (Haley), Mary Anne (Christian), Hannah (Ben), Elliot, James and Noel; and his great grandson, Wesley.