Celebrating the life of
William Joseph Fitzgerald
January 03, 1945 - February 08, 2008
William Joseph Fitzgerald
SAVANNAH – William Joseph Fitzgerald, 63, died Friday, February 8, 2008, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah, GA.
A 1963 graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, he received both his undergraduate degree 1967, and his M.B.A. 1969 from Siena College.
Bill began his thirty-eight year career with The State of New York in September of 1968 with The Department of Corrections before transferring to the Division of Criminal Justice Services DCJS where he worked until his retirement in 2002. In addition to his full-time position as an Information Systems Consultant, Bill was also appointed the agency coordinator for the Employee Assistance Program.
In his spare time, Bill was an avid bowler and was a former president of the Albany Bowling Association. He also played American Legion baseball and enjoyed attending Siena basketball games.
In Loudonville, Bill was a communicant of St. Pius X Church where he served as a Eucharistic minister in addition to being a member of the Parish Council. In Venice, FL he was a communicant of the Epiphany Cathedral.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Molly Ryan and Joseph Clancy Fitzgerald.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Garibaldi, of Loudonville, NY and Venice, FL; his daughter, Courtney Robert F. O'Brien III, of Boston, MA and Pembroke, Bermuda; his son, Ryan Kerri, of New York, NY; his granddaughter, "the amazing one" Grace
Elizabeth O'Brien; his sister, Elizabeth Arnold Donald, of Albany, NY; several nieces, nephews, and cousins in the United States and Ireland; and his beloved Cairn Terrier, Daisy Petunia.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Bill's life at a mass on Saturday, April 26, 2008, 11:00 a.m., at St. Pius X Church.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Bill may do so in care of St. Joseph's Hospital Coronary Care Unit, 11705 Mercy Blvd., Savannah, GA 31419 or the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com.
Dear Linda, Cortney, & Ryan, We are so deeply sorry for your loss. We can not begin to appropriately express how grateful we have been to have been lucky enough to be your next door neighbors. Bill we be missed by all of us. We reflect upon our first days in the neighborhood and how welcomed you all made us feel. We have not and will never forget the true love and Christ-minded attitude Bill and your entire family have extended towards our family. Bill will always be remembered as someone who we could rely on for any assistance we might need at anytime. His sincerity was observably evident. We Thank you Bill for being and God for giving us such a beautiful friend and neighbor. ALL GOOD THINGS! The Rhodes Family
- Keith, Sandi & Marques Rhodes, Loudonville, NY
Dear Linda, I am extremely sorry for your loss. Bill was a great guy and you were a special couple.I will always remember the great times and his sense of humor.Love Mike I will always keep you in my prayers always.
- Mike Buenau, Slingerlands, NY
Dear Linda, I am extremely sorry for your loss. Bill was a great guy and you were a special couple.I will always remember the great times and his sense of humor.Love Mike I will always keep you in my prayers always.
- Mike Buenau, Slingerlands, NY
Dear Linda and family, We were so sorry to hear of your troubles en route to Florida and subsequent loss. Bill was a bright spot at the Milne reunions, a charming and funny man whom we will all miss. God bless you as you travel the road ahead. Love, Martha and Dick
- Martha Kimball, Jamestown, NY
LINDA, I WAS SO SORRY TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF YOUR HUSBAND. I AM SURE THAT HE WAS A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND FATHER AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS. SINCERELY, CAROL BACHMAN SMITH
- CAROL BACHMAN SMITH, , GA
Linda and family, We are shocked and saddened to read of Bill's passing. Though his life was taken so soon, the memories you have created will last a lifetime. We send our hearfelt condolences to you all, and we will keep Bill and you in our prayers.
- John and Lynda Kearney, Loudonville, NY
Linda, Cortney and Ryan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Linda, we're here for you in Florida and please call if you need anything. We'll talk later, Brian and Ronnie
- Brian and Ronnie Meurs, Venice, FL
Linda,Ryan,Courtney and your Families, Our hearts go out to you all. We cannot know why God needed Bill at this young age but he now rests in God's loving arms. We will always keep Bill alive in our minds and hearts through wonderful memories. He was an outstanding man. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. With Love,
- Fran and Joe Schmidt, Niskayuna, NY
Linda and family, I was sad to learn of Bills passing. He was a great classmate,friend and gentleman.I will remember him in my prayers. Dick Adair '63
- Dick Adair, Albany, NY
Linda & Betty especially, My heart is aching for you and your families. Liz called me in tears yesterday morning when she saw the newspaper. She couldn't even continue reading, it shocked and saddened her so much. To know Bill was to love him. While my memories are more of his youth than his adulthood, who 'Billy Fitz' was in the neighborhood wove through his whole life I'm sure. His smile, his sweetness, his pranks . . . I will always remember him with smiles. I wish you were closer . . . I feel the need to reach out and hug you all. I look forward to April 26th to celebrate his life with you. In the meantime, my prayers will continue for you all to endure this grieving. I know his spirit is still here and watching over you, and peace will eventually come. I believe I speak for my parents and sister too as I try to convey our sympathy and love to you all. Love, Cathy O'Rourke
- Catherine O'Rourke, Schenectady, NY
I worked with Bill at DCJS and was very saddened to learn of his passing. Please accept my sincere condolences.
- Bob McAuley, Omaha, NE
Our condolences from Mary, Jim, Barbara and Carol
- Mary Bachman, Albany, NY
Heartfelt sympathies to Bill's family , he was truely a kind and generous man whom I knew only a short time, but he made a big impression on me. Please accept my condolences. Constance K. Burns
- constance, voorheesville, NY
Courtney and Family, I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. He was a great man with a smile on his face everytime I saw him. I'm grateful that I ran into all of you last summer. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
- Joanne Kaiser-McGuirk, Loudonville, NY
Mrs. Fitzgerald, Ryan, Courtney, Betty & family, I am so sorry for your loss. I've been praying for Mr. Fitzgerald for the past week and I will continue to keep him and all of you in my prayers. I will always remember how much laughter he brought to this world! Love, Leah V.
- Leah VanDeloo, New York, NY
Dear Linda, Courtney & Ryan, We are thinking about you all and praying for you. Remember all the good times and that will help get you through this terrible time of loss. Our love to you, Lorraine & John Jennings
- Lorraine & John Jennings, Narragansett, RI
Linda,Courtney,Ryan and family: I had the privilege of knowing Bill for 40 years. He always has been one of the good guys, always loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He will be in our hearts and thoughts forever.
- Dick and Kathy Higgins, Rotterdam, NY
On behalf of our entire family, we send our thoughts and love to you. We have been friends for so many years and we'll miss Bill. He left us with so many memories and stories that we'll remember forever. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. The Regan Family
- Thomas Regan, Loudonville, NY
Linda, Courtney and Ryan - remember the good times and smile when you think of him- he was a great guy. Our thoughts are with you. Fondly, Judi McNamara and Ned Cully
- Judith McNamara, Framingham, MA
Dear Linda and Family, We are saddened by your loss. Please accept our condolences and may you find comfort to know that you are in our prayers. Bill will be deeply missed. Susan & Ron Podschelne
- Susan Podschelne, Clifton Park, NY
My deepest sympathies go out to Bill's wife and family. As a classmate of Bill's at CBA and Siena, I always enjoyed his good humor and his wonderful way of looking at life. He was one of a kind and I will miss him.
- Tom Articola, Latham, NY
My deepest sympathies go out to Bill's wife and family. As a classmate of Bill's at CBA and Siena, I always enjoyed his good humor and his wonderful way of looking at life. He was one of a kind and I will miss him.
- Tom Articola, Latham, NY
Dear Linda, Courtney, Ryan and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. There are no words that will ease your pain at this most difficult time but please know that I will be praying for Bill and for all of you. Having gone through what you are going through I know full well the pain. May the memories of the good times sustain you and know that you have a very special angel in heaven to watch over all of you. When you least expect it, you will feel his presence. He will always be there! You will be in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy, Donna
- Donna Barry Denise Sickles' mom, Albany, NY
Courtney and family, I was very sorry to hear about your Dad. My deepest condolences to all of you during this most difficult time.
- Shannon Perry-Bacon, Albany, NY
To Billy's Family, May God bless you all and give you strength and peace as you go through this very difficult time. We have all lost a wonderful person who always made us laugh. What a wonderful friend he was to have in our lives. When we remember him, which will be often, we will smile. Our prayers are with him and you always.
- Mary and Fred Shellard, Lake George, NY
Dear Linda and Family, I was deeply saddened when I learned about Bill's passing. I feel fortunate to have been in his company at the Milne Class of '64 reunions where he patiently listened to Linda and all of her friends reminiscing. He had a great sense of humor. May you all find comfort in the happy memories that you have. May Bill rest in peace! Love and hugs, Laurie
- Lauren Reiner Jastremski, Marblehead, MA
Bill: We may not understand why you left this earth, or why you left before we could say good-bye, but little by little, we remember not just that you died, but that you lived. Your life gave us memories too happy to forget. We will see you again some day, in a heavenly place where there is no parting. Deepest sympathies to Linda and all your family.
- Mark & MaryBeth Lyon, Saratoga Springs, NY
Dear Linda and family, I was deeply saddened to learn of Bill's death. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Bill was a wonderful, thoughtful man and will be greatly missed by all of us. Sincerely, Joanne McLeod
- Joanne McLeod, Waterford, NY
Dear Linda, We were shocked and extremely saddened to learn of Bill's passing. Please know our thoughts, prayers and memories go out to you and your family. With much sincere sympathy, Linda and Tom Thorsen
- linda thorsen, slingerlands, NY
What an amazing man. I'll never forget the smile on Larry's face as LaSalle was beating CBA at soccer and he looked over and saw Bill standing there smiling at him. Our family was so blessed to have the opportunity to get to know this wonderfully kind, caring and compassionate man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Linda, Courtney, Ryan, Bet and Don, Kellie, Erin and Donny. His memory will always bring a smile to our faces and his kindness will never be forgotten.
- Debbie & Dennis Halpin, Bartlesville, OK
Dear Linda and kids: We were in Ct. with Mark when Jo-Ann and I got the call Sunday morning. Shocking; makes all of us in 63' stop and think. You know we love the Fitz family and we are here for you whenever you need us. On our way to CBA for Sunday volunteer Mass; prayers for Fitz and family. All our love, Art and Jo-Ann Smith and family
- Arthur F. Smith, Schenectady, NY
I know Bill for a number of years we worked at DCJS together and he was a great guy. I am very sorry that he passed away but he is in a better place now. MY condolences to you and your family. God Bless You and bring you peace. Sincerely Christine Fuss
- Christine Fuss, Albany, NY
Uncle Bill is a kind and loving man who always could make you laugh -usually at a very inappropriate time but always one when you needed it the mostthat was certainly a gift. Both myself and our good friend Anita Lay will miss him! My thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family.
- Robert McLeod, Albany, NY
Dear Linda & Betty: I was so sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my prayers. My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Linda
- Linda Kintner, Schenectady, NY
What a shock. My prayers and condolences are with you all in this time of sorrow. Bill was a friend since our Siena days.
- Larry Kelly, Stuyvesant, NV
Dear Linda and Family Memories of Bill at both CBA and Siena are of a fun-loving, good-hearted person, and a fine athlete. We really enjoyed renewing old friendships for the CBA 40th reunion in '03 and the get-togethers over the last few years. We will dearly miss him but keep him in thought and prayer.
- Allen & Sharon Lescak, Albany, NY
Dear Linda,Betty,Don and Family, Life is so fragile,loss so sudden. May wonderful memories help to sustain all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Sharon & Jim Thompson
- Sharon Thompson, Albany, NY
Dear Linda, Cortney, & Ryan, We are so deeply sorry for your loss. We can not begin to appropriately express how grateful we have been to have been lucky enough to be your next door neighbors. Bill we be missed by all of us. We reflect upon our first days in the neighborhood and how welcomed you all made us feel. We have not and will never forget the true love and Christ-minded attitude Bill and your entire family have extended towards our family. Bill will always be remembered as someone who we could rely on for any assistance we might need at anytime. His sincerity was observably evident. We Thank you Bill for being and God for giving us such a beautiful friend and neighbor. ALL GOOD THINGS! The Rhodes Family
- Keith, Sandi & Marques Rhodes, Loudonville, NY
Dear Linda, I am extremely sorry for your loss. Bill was a great guy and you were a special couple.I will always remember the great times and his sense of humor.Love Mike I will always keep you in my prayers always.
- Mike Buenau, Slingerlands, NY
Dear Linda, I am extremely sorry for your loss. Bill was a great guy and you were a special couple.I will always remember the great times and his sense of humor.Love Mike I will always keep you in my prayers always.
- Mike Buenau, Slingerlands, NY
Dear Linda and family, We were so sorry to hear of your troubles en route to Florida and subsequent loss. Bill was a bright spot at the Milne reunions, a charming and funny man whom we will all miss. God bless you as you travel the road ahead. Love, Martha and Dick
- Martha Kimball, Jamestown, NY
LINDA, I WAS SO SORRY TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF YOUR HUSBAND. I AM SURE THAT HE WAS A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND FATHER AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS. SINCERELY, CAROL BACHMAN SMITH
- CAROL BACHMAN SMITH, , GA
Linda and family, We are shocked and saddened to read of Bill's passing. Though his life was taken so soon, the memories you have created will last a lifetime. We send our hearfelt condolences to you all, and we will keep Bill and you in our prayers.
- John and Lynda Kearney, Loudonville, NY
Linda, Cortney and Ryan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Linda, we're here for you in Florida and please call if you need anything. We'll talk later, Brian and Ronnie
- Brian and Ronnie Meurs, Venice, FL
Linda,Ryan,Courtney and your Families, Our hearts go out to you all. We cannot know why God needed Bill at this young age but he now rests in God's loving arms. We will always keep Bill alive in our minds and hearts through wonderful memories. He was an outstanding man. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. With Love,
- Fran and Joe Schmidt, Niskayuna, NY
Linda and family, I was sad to learn of Bills passing. He was a great classmate,friend and gentleman.I will remember him in my prayers. Dick Adair '63
- Dick Adair, Albany, NY
Linda & Betty especially, My heart is aching for you and your families. Liz called me in tears yesterday morning when she saw the newspaper. She couldn't even continue reading, it shocked and saddened her so much. To know Bill was to love him. While my memories are more of his youth than his adulthood, who 'Billy Fitz' was in the neighborhood wove through his whole life I'm sure. His smile, his sweetness, his pranks . . . I will always remember him with smiles. I wish you were closer . . . I feel the need to reach out and hug you all. I look forward to April 26th to celebrate his life with you. In the meantime, my prayers will continue for you all to endure this grieving. I know his spirit is still here and watching over you, and peace will eventually come. I believe I speak for my parents and sister too as I try to convey our sympathy and love to you all. Love, Cathy O'Rourke
- Catherine O'Rourke, Schenectady, NY
I worked with Bill at DCJS and was very saddened to learn of his passing. Please accept my sincere condolences.
- Bob McAuley, Omaha, NE
Our condolences from Mary, Jim, Barbara and Carol
- Mary Bachman, Albany, NY
Heartfelt sympathies to Bill's family , he was truely a kind and generous man whom I knew only a short time, but he made a big impression on me. Please accept my condolences. Constance K. Burns
- constance, voorheesville, NY
Courtney and Family, I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. He was a great man with a smile on his face everytime I saw him. I'm grateful that I ran into all of you last summer. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
- Joanne Kaiser-McGuirk, Loudonville, NY
Mrs. Fitzgerald, Ryan, Courtney, Betty & family, I am so sorry for your loss. I've been praying for Mr. Fitzgerald for the past week and I will continue to keep him and all of you in my prayers. I will always remember how much laughter he brought to this world! Love, Leah V.
- Leah VanDeloo, New York, NY
Dear Linda, Courtney & Ryan, We are thinking about you all and praying for you. Remember all the good times and that will help get you through this terrible time of loss. Our love to you, Lorraine & John Jennings
- Lorraine & John Jennings, Narragansett, RI
Linda,Courtney,Ryan and family: I had the privilege of knowing Bill for 40 years. He always has been one of the good guys, always loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He will be in our hearts and thoughts forever.
- Dick and Kathy Higgins, Rotterdam, NY
On behalf of our entire family, we send our thoughts and love to you. We have been friends for so many years and we'll miss Bill. He left us with so many memories and stories that we'll remember forever. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. The Regan Family
- Thomas Regan, Loudonville, NY
Linda, Courtney and Ryan - remember the good times and smile when you think of him- he was a great guy. Our thoughts are with you. Fondly, Judi McNamara and Ned Cully
- Judith McNamara, Framingham, MA
Dear Linda and Family, We are saddened by your loss. Please accept our condolences and may you find comfort to know that you are in our prayers. Bill will be deeply missed. Susan & Ron Podschelne
- Susan Podschelne, Clifton Park, NY
My deepest sympathies go out to Bill's wife and family. As a classmate of Bill's at CBA and Siena, I always enjoyed his good humor and his wonderful way of looking at life. He was one of a kind and I will miss him.
- Tom Articola, Latham, NY
My deepest sympathies go out to Bill's wife and family. As a classmate of Bill's at CBA and Siena, I always enjoyed his good humor and his wonderful way of looking at life. He was one of a kind and I will miss him.
- Tom Articola, Latham, NY
Dear Linda, Courtney, Ryan and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. There are no words that will ease your pain at this most difficult time but please know that I will be praying for Bill and for all of you. Having gone through what you are going through I know full well the pain. May the memories of the good times sustain you and know that you have a very special angel in heaven to watch over all of you. When you least expect it, you will feel his presence. He will always be there! You will be in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy, Donna
- Donna Barry Denise Sickles' mom, Albany, NY
Courtney and family, I was very sorry to hear about your Dad. My deepest condolences to all of you during this most difficult time.
- Shannon Perry-Bacon, Albany, NY
To Billy's Family, May God bless you all and give you strength and peace as you go through this very difficult time. We have all lost a wonderful person who always made us laugh. What a wonderful friend he was to have in our lives. When we remember him, which will be often, we will smile. Our prayers are with him and you always.
- Mary and Fred Shellard, Lake George, NY
Dear Linda and Family, I was deeply saddened when I learned about Bill's passing. I feel fortunate to have been in his company at the Milne Class of '64 reunions where he patiently listened to Linda and all of her friends reminiscing. He had a great sense of humor. May you all find comfort in the happy memories that you have. May Bill rest in peace! Love and hugs, Laurie
- Lauren Reiner Jastremski, Marblehead, MA
Bill: We may not understand why you left this earth, or why you left before we could say good-bye, but little by little, we remember not just that you died, but that you lived. Your life gave us memories too happy to forget. We will see you again some day, in a heavenly place where there is no parting. Deepest sympathies to Linda and all your family.
- Mark & MaryBeth Lyon, Saratoga Springs, NY
Dear Linda and family, I was deeply saddened to learn of Bill's death. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Bill was a wonderful, thoughtful man and will be greatly missed by all of us. Sincerely, Joanne McLeod
- Joanne McLeod, Waterford, NY
Dear Linda, We were shocked and extremely saddened to learn of Bill's passing. Please know our thoughts, prayers and memories go out to you and your family. With much sincere sympathy, Linda and Tom Thorsen
- linda thorsen, slingerlands, NY
What an amazing man. I'll never forget the smile on Larry's face as LaSalle was beating CBA at soccer and he looked over and saw Bill standing there smiling at him. Our family was so blessed to have the opportunity to get to know this wonderfully kind, caring and compassionate man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Linda, Courtney, Ryan, Bet and Don, Kellie, Erin and Donny. His memory will always bring a smile to our faces and his kindness will never be forgotten.
- Debbie & Dennis Halpin, Bartlesville, OK
Dear Linda and kids: We were in Ct. with Mark when Jo-Ann and I got the call Sunday morning. Shocking; makes all of us in 63' stop and think. You know we love the Fitz family and we are here for you whenever you need us. On our way to CBA for Sunday volunteer Mass; prayers for Fitz and family. All our love, Art and Jo-Ann Smith and family
- Arthur F. Smith, Schenectady, NY
I know Bill for a number of years we worked at DCJS together and he was a great guy. I am very sorry that he passed away but he is in a better place now. MY condolences to you and your family. God Bless You and bring you peace. Sincerely Christine Fuss
- Christine Fuss, Albany, NY
Uncle Bill is a kind and loving man who always could make you laugh -usually at a very inappropriate time but always one when you needed it the mostthat was certainly a gift. Both myself and our good friend Anita Lay will miss him! My thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family.
- Robert McLeod, Albany, NY
Dear Linda & Betty: I was so sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my prayers. My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Linda
- Linda Kintner, Schenectady, NY
What a shock. My prayers and condolences are with you all in this time of sorrow. Bill was a friend since our Siena days.
- Larry Kelly, Stuyvesant, NV
Dear Linda and Family Memories of Bill at both CBA and Siena are of a fun-loving, good-hearted person, and a fine athlete. We really enjoyed renewing old friendships for the CBA 40th reunion in '03 and the get-togethers over the last few years. We will dearly miss him but keep him in thought and prayer.
- Allen & Sharon Lescak, Albany, NY
Dear Linda,Betty,Don and Family, Life is so fragile,loss so sudden. May wonderful memories help to sustain all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Sharon & Jim Thompson
- Sharon Thompson, Albany, NY
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
