William (Bill) James Fitzgerald, age 92 of New London, passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
Bill was born August 4, 1928 in Green Bay to the late Dr. Robert L Fitzgerald and Marie H. Fitzgerald. He was the eldest of three children. Bill graduated from New London High school, went on to get his Bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert’s in Green Bay and then received a Master’s degree from Colorado State College. Bill was a sergeant in the Army and honorably discharged. He was a teacher in Fond du Lac and substituted later in the Fox Valley area. Bill was a confirmed bachelor, an avid dog lover and doting uncle to his nephews, grand-nephews and nieces and great-grandnephew. He was generous to a fault, willing to help others, loved to share stories and very interested in history and passing that knowledge onto those around him. Bill always enjoyed hanging out at the “University” as he called the Washington Senior Center in New London, where he spent much of his time and was surrounded by the wonderful staff and residents who allowed Bill to be Bill. In the last few years, due to health issues Bill was residing at Peabody Manor in Menasha, where the staff and residents took great care of him.
Bill is survived by his nephews, Jerome A. Kowalski, Kevin R. Fitzgerald and Gregory and Elizabeth Fitzgerald; great-nephews and nieces, Julian and Nicole Fitzgerald, Callista Fitzgerald, Jordan Fitzgerald, Liam Fitzgerald, Gavin Fitzgerald and great-grandnephew, Riley Fitzgerald. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Robert L. Fitzgerald and Marie (Kelly) H. Fitzgerald; his brother, Robert (Bob) J. Fitzgerald; his sister, Helen M. Fitzgerald, and an infant sister that died at birth.
We want to say thank you to all the staff at the Washington Senior Center for being such good friends to Bill. Thank you to Paul Borden, who was a great friend to Bill, and the staff at Peabody Manor for taking great care of Bill. We would also like to acknowledge all the nurses and doctors that helped to make these last few years of Bill’s life so much better.
The funeral mass for Bill will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 with Fr. John Kleinschmidt officiating. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Thank you to Cline & Hanson Funeral home for coordinating the services.