In Memory of George Thomas Fitzgerald

Obituary

George Thomas Fitzgerald, 91, of Utica, NY, died peacefully at home on July 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on August 19, 1931, in Ogdensburg, NY, the eldest son of Leslie T. and Georgiana I. (Amo) FitzGerald. George (also known as “Willie”) was raised and educated in Utica and was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. He served in the US Air Force from 1949 to 1952. He was stationed in South Korea as an aircraft radio mechanic during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge, George worked for the NY Telephone Company, then General Electric, from which he retired as an Electrical Engineer in 1992. He worked for Lockheed Martin on assignment in Taiwan and returned to GE for a “curtain call” at GE Research, before he fully retired. George pursued education throughout his life, and received an Associate degree from Mohawk Valley Technical Institute (now Mohawk Valley Community College) in 1958, and a Bachelor’s degree from the SUNY College of Technology in 1983.
George married Carmen Anita Eallonardo on November 5, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church in Hamilton, NY. They shared a love story for the ages and were happily married for more than 67 years. George was a devoted family man who was actively involved in his children’s lives. He was a coach and president of the Memorial Parkway Little League, and a Boy Scout troop leader for Troop 41 at Our Lady of Lourdes parish. He made time to regularly take his family on vacations and camping trips, to go skating, sledding, and play tennis at the Parkway, to the YMCA and Knights of Columbus to swim, and to the shores of Lake Ontario with the Tinker, Tuttle, and Kulesa families. He was a natural athlete. He enjoyed handball and golfing with friends and was an active member of the Utica Curling Club for many years. George was always willing to lend a hand, especially to his children, and he made significant contributions to renovation projects at all of their homes. With the goal of providing a gathering place for family and friends, George and Carmen bought and renovated a camp on Canadarago Lake. They enjoyed every minute they could be there, welcoming guests from near and far.

George was a member of St. Francis De Sales parish during the 1950s and 1960s and had been a member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish since 1970. He was active in church groups such as the Holy Name Society, and generously volunteered his time and expertise with multiple community organizations. He worked on projects sponsored by the GE Elfun Society including many at Thea Bowman House. He was an active member of the Canadarago Lake Improvement Association.

George is survived by his cherished wife Carmen, eight children and their spouses: Kathleen Sherman (Michael), Paul (Debra), Patrick (Christine), Mary Sexton (Michael), Helen Holmes, Margaret “Margie” Fitzgerald Beaton, Peter (Leha), and James (Adrienne), twenty grandchildren and step-grandchildren and their spouses, two great-granddaughters, two brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren. He was predeceased by his infant sister Mary, his sister and brother-in-law Bernice and Kenneth Lowell, his brother John Fitzgerald, his cousins Robert Mojave and Donald Mojave, and his goddaughter and niece Christa Eallonardo.

The family would like to thank Elvira, Ajsa, and Jessica for the loving care they gave George in his later years, Sister Maureen Denn, CSJ, for the friendship she and George shared and for her spiritual care in his last days, and Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassion and support.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 10 am at Mary, Mother of our Savior Parish, Lourdes Campus, 2222 Genesee St, Utica, NY. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of Mass. Interment will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro, NY. Arrangements are with Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, New Hartford, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Thea Bowman House of Utica (theabowmanhouse.org).

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.