Donald J ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick, Sr.

Born October 17, 1930, in Marquette, a son of James William and Sarah (White) Fitzpatrick, Sr., Don was raised in Marquette and entered the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge, Don was employed as a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes for eighteen years. One interesting sidelight, Don was offered a position on the Edmund Fitzgerald, but turned down the offer and thereby avoided the tragic consequences that followed. During his whole life, Don was drawn to the Great Lakes and had great respect for their mighty, majestic beauty and awesome power. For the last twenty-three years of his working career, Don was employed at Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company as a Concentrating Plant attendant, retiring from the Tilden Mine. Don was an avid walker, taking daily walks often up to ten miles, frequented the Big Boy on a daily basis, enjoyed fishing, but his greatest joy was attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.

Don was an avid and devoted Detroit sports fan, rooting for the Pistons, Tigers, Red Wings, and Lions.

Don is survived by his sons, Donald J. Fitzpatrick, Jr of Marquette and Douglas J. (Cindy Petrocik) Fitzpatrick, Sr of Negaunee; his grandchildren, Joshua Frye and Douglas J. (Lisa Staffaroni) Fitzpatrick, Jr; great-grandchildren, Mikinzee, Lea, Carter, and Grace Fitzpatrick; special friend, Bobi Ann Frye; his siblings, James W. Fitzpatrick, Jr and Joan T. Blemberg; several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Glen Fitzpatrick; sister-in-law, Dolores Fitzpatrick; and brother-in-law, Joseph Blemberg.

Arrangements for a memorial service at a later date will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to, Norlite Nursing Center Activity Fund, 701 Homestead Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855.

The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com