Fitzgerald, Peter 1867-1950

FITZGERALD, KIBBY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/16/2017 at 21:12:24

Peter Fitzgerald, 82, died the Tuesday of Holy Week. The Sisters of Charity of St. Luke's Hospital, Centralia, Washington, where he was a patient offered the prayers for the dying.

There were probably echoes of those prayers in Heaven. For, it's very likely, that there are many there who might not have made it had it not been for the grizzled sourdough who served for many years in Seattle as the 'Apostle of the Skidroad'.

For more than three decades Peter was calling for priests and guiding them to hospital rooms and up creaky stairs to a lodging house room, where someone, who hadn't spoken to a priest in years, was waiting for the Last Sacraments.

Peter had a regular beat: the jails, hospitals and cheaper hotels and flophouses. And in between he worked the street.

His approach was simple and direct. He would hand a paper to a passer-by. "It's a Catholic paper," he would say, and quickly add with a smile, "You're a Catholic, I presume."

Some of the "no" answers he changed to "yes". A few growled at the Apostle with the smiling blue eyes and many of these later learned to bless him.

Peter was born in Hanover Township, Allamakee County, Ia., in 1867. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fitzgerald, early settlers in Hanover.

In 1905 Peter went to Alaska. He worked on the Alaska boundary survey near the Chilcoot Pass and north of Nome, freighting on the American River. He knew many of the celebrities who won fame and fortune in the Northland.

Peter knew the others too - those who lost wealth, health and hope. He met many of them - sought them out - later on the skidroad and helped them to regain the things that counted most through his unfailing spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

In 1907 Peter came to Seattle. For a number of years he was sexton at Our Lady of Good Help Church.

In 1940 he was awarded the Benemeranti (high merit) medal by Pope Pius XII, in recognition of his service to the faith.

Bishop Connolly presided at the Requiem Mass offered in the Seattle Cathedral. Monsignor John Gallagher was celebrant.

Mrs. Joseph Kibby, Waukon, a sister, is the only surviving member of the family of Peter Fitzgerald.

~The Witness; Dubuque, IA; Thursday, April 27, 1950