Obituary of Donald Louis Fitzpatrick

Donald Fitzpatrick passed away on April 20, 2016 Don was born and raised in The Bronx, NYC where he attended St. Thomas Aquinas school and De Witt Clinton High School. He moved to Astoria, LIC on the marriage to his beloved wife Carol. In 1969 they relocated to Succasunna where they raised their sons, James, Jack and Gene. Don was employed by the Standard Oil Company (now ExxonMobil), for forty-five years where he retired as a Senior Project Analyst. He combined his career at Exxon with a two-year enlistment in the U.S. Navy, and a two-year recall during the Korean War. At night he attended New York University where he earned second prize in the John S. Morris Public Speaking Contest in his senior year. He then completed his study for a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and advanced to Graduate school where he earned credits toward a master’s degree in Economics. As an employee participant he sang in the Essoaires Glee Club and later served as the Jersey Standard Club President. When Exxon moved to Florham Park. He again served as President of the Exxon 102 Club. Donald was a practicing Catholic. Prior to his marriage to Carol he sang with the St. Helena’s Glee Club in the Bronx for four years. In Astoria, Queens he and Carol attended St. Margaret Mary’s Church where he served as a Lector. Upon moving to Succasunna Don and Carol Joined St. Therese church where they sent their three sons to the school. Don served as an usher, Choir Member, Home School President and Lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. In retirement he turned his interests to bad golf, writing, and acting. He wrote more than thirty short stories and poems, some of which earned modest prizes. He self-published a seven hundred page novel titled What Is A Heaven For? The book is available on Amazon.com. He appeared in over thirty stage productions at the Brundage Park Playhouse and the County College of Morris. Some of the shows he acted and sang in were Kiss Me Kate, Brigadoon, Our Town, Damn Yankees, Oklahoma, South Pacific, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, Camelot, Nine, Nuts, The Music Man, Annie, Annie Warbucks and Oliver. Don jokingly referred to himself as a triple threat ham, having sung with the St. Helena’s Glee Club with Carmel Quinn at Carnegie Hall. He appeared on the TV show Match Game and he acted as an extra in the Robert Redford movie Quiz Show. He is survived by his loving wife Carol; his son James; his son Jack and spouse Sandra; his son, Denville Councilman, Gene Fitzpatrick and spouse Wendy and his brother Gerard and spouse Patricia. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Haley, Julia, Stephanie, Brian, Jack, Braden, Quintin and Zaeger. Visitation will be on Sunday, April 24, 2016, from 2pm to 6pm at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com). A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Therese RC Church, Succasunna on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers all donations may be made to the St. Therese Knights of Columbus 6320 Scholarship Foundation Fund (www.KC6320.org).