James Fitzgerald, Scout Enthusiast, Navy Captain, Dies

The following is from Kelley Spalding Funeral Home:

James E. Fitzgerald, 82, Captain USNR, of Highland Park, passed away September 23, 2013. He was a retired 30 year employee of Illinois Bell and former realtor at Coldwell Banker.

James was an Eagle Scout and served on the Northeast Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts of America, member of the Fort Sheridan Master Home Owners Association Board, a dedicated member of the board at Millikin University and still holds the record for the longest punt ever recorded (100 yards) for the Webster Groves High School Football Team.

Beloved husband of Donna; loving father of Mauria (Tim) Ganther, Dania Fitzgerald (Mark London), Stephen (Silvia), Kevin (Susan) and Peter (Susan); to his grandchildren he was Papada. The roster of his cherished grandchildren: Reid, Drew, Kyle and Charlie Ganther, Scott, David and Jana London, Brittnee and Brigitta Fitzgerald, Laura and Amy Messer and Joey and Lily Fitzgerald.

He was their cheering squad at sporting events, their trick-or-treat companion on Halloween, their proud grandpa in classrooms and graduations. They never lost their enthusiasm and love for him because he never lost his belief in them.

A visitation was held Thursday, September 26, 2013 from 4-8 pm at Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park, IL. A funeral mass was held Friday, September 27, 2013 at 10 am at St Patrick Church, 950 W.Everett Rd., Lake Forest, IL. Interment Fort Sheridan Cemetery, Highland Park, IL.

Donations may be made to Boy Scouts of America, Northeast Illinois Council, 2745 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park, IL 60035, or, The Special Operations Fund, A Quiet Fund for Quiet Warriors, 901 North Stuart Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22203, (The Special Ops Fund’s primary mission is to provide financial support for higher education, in college or technical school to family members of personnel who have died in the line of duty while serving with certain units of the United States Special Operations Command.)

For information please call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at (847) 831-4260 or www.kelleyspaldingfuneralhome.com