Fitzpatrick, Wm. H. 1932-2002

FITZPATRICK, TIMMINS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/11/2007 at 21:07:34

LE MARS, Iowa -- Wm. H. "Bill" Fitzpatrick, 69, longtime Le Mars resident died Saturday, March 9, 2002, at his residence following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Richard Ries officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with a parish rosary at 4 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Mr. Fitzpatrick, the son of E. Joseph and Katherine Fitzpatrick, was born in Le Mars on June 5, 1932. He married Marlene Timmins, daughter of Bill and Mildred Timmins, in Le Mars on Nov. 22, 1956. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years, retiring in 1988.

He was an active member of his parish and a member of the choir. His love of theater led to a 30-year involvement with the Le Mars Community Theater, where he served on the board of directors until ill health no longer allowed participation. He acted in numerous productions, among them, "George M.," "On Golden Pond," "Harvey," "Scrooge and Marley": "A Christmas Carol" and others too numerous to mention. In later years, he directed several productions. He also was a member of the Floyd Valley Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus and sang with his father-in-law, Bill Timmins, in the "Nipchords" and "Roustabout" quartets.

Bill possessed a well-developed Irish sense of humor, which delighted his family and friends. His love of nature led to many happy hours of bird and squirrel watching and also led him to support environmental causes. As a man of deep faith and concern for the poor and hungry, he expressed a never ending gratitude for life.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene; a son and his wife, Kelly and Sandy Fitzpatrick of Beaverton, Ore.; a daughter and her husband, Maureen Fitzpatrick-Wisniewska and Jacek Wisniewski-Fitzpatrick of St. Paul, Minn.; and three grandchildren, Bradley, Ryan and Cole Fitzpatrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Mary Colleen; and a brother, John Fitzpatrick.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obit Collection; source: Sioux City Journal]