Edward Francis Fitzgerald

Portsmouth, RI -- Colonel Edward Francis Fitzgerald, USMC (retired), of Portsmouth, RI, died Thursday, December 12, 2013, at home surrounded by his family. He was 83.Born on July 15, 1930, in Jaffrey, NH, he was the son of the late Mary G. Blanchette Fitzgerald Wilder, and Edward R. Fitzgerald. He was the stepson of the late Tracy P. Wilder.Colonel Fitzgerald proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps for 31 years, and was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a decorated infantry and military officer and held numerous command and staff positions. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat V, Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential and Navy Unit Citations, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and numerous other awards and citations. His last assignment was Senior Marine Advisor, Naval War College, Newport, RI. He retired in 1983.After retirement he was employed in management positions by McLaughlin Research Corp and Aquidneck Management Associates.He was a 1952 graduate of Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH and received his Master's Degree from Boston University. He was also a graduate of the Naval War College, and the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School.In 1990 he began a second career as a substitute teacher at Portsmouth High School where he taught for twenty years. "Mr. Fitz" was a committed and enthusiastic teacher well known among the students for his energy and genuine caring. In addition to teaching, he chaperoned social gatherings, attended intramural athletic events, advised clubs, and organized and oversaw a yearly field trip to New York City's Financial District. He bought every fund-raising item or event ticket ever offered, and marked countless daily moments of effort and achievement with his signature reward - a stick of Juicy Fruit gum. The class of 2005 chose him to be their graduation key-note speaker and created a yearly scholarship in his honor. Mr. Fitz often said he was blessed to enjoy two rewarding and enjoyable careers, both as a Marine and as a teacher.Colonel Fitzgerald was also active in military, social and church activities. He was a Director, Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation, (Quantico and New York City), and an active member of the Newport County Marine Corps League; Detachment, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Officers Association. He was a parishioner at St. Barnabas Church where he was a delegate to the Parish Council and a Eucharistic Minister. He formerly served on the board of the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation.He was preceded in death by his wife of 20 years, Winnie Cosby Ashook Fitzgerald, who died April 10, 2013, and by his wife of 36 years, Margery Cadoo Fitzgerald who died in 1990. He is survived by a brother, Reverend George R. Fitzgerald, CSP, San Francisco, CA, and a sister, Alice Wilder Murphy, (Tom) of Florida. He is also survived by four children: C Scott Fitzgerald, (Vicki), Green Bay, WI; C Lyn Lombardi, (Rick), Middletown, RI; and step-daughters, Kathleen Ashook Weber, (Arthur), Middletown, RI, and Robin E. Ashook, Newport, RI.He leaves behind four beloved grandchildren: C Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, C Patrick Lombardi, C Tara Lombardi, and Emily Katherine Weber. He also leaves one nephew, TJ Murphy; two nieces, Tracy Knowles and Kelly Kraemer, and many cousins.Mr. Fitz will also be remembered as the "honorary" grandfather of scores of Portsmouth High School students. One student wrote, "Mr. Fitz was my grandfather figure that I never had." Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, from 4-8pm in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. Funeral mass will be, held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 10:30am St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, and burial with military honors will follow at St. Columba's Catholic Cemetery, Middletown, RI.Memorial donations may be made to the Colonel Edward Francis Fitzgerald Honorary Scholarship Fund, Portsmouth High School, 120 Education Lane, Portsmouth, RI, 02871. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Chapel Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, Visitation DEC 17. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com Service DEC 18. 10:30 AM St. Barnabas Catholic Church 1697 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US