NATICK TEACHER AND COACH
Gerald “Jerry” Fitzgerald, former Natick teacher and coach, died peacefully on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at home, with family and friends by his side at the age of 83. He was the husband of Joan K. (Bennett) Fitzgerald and the son of the late Mary and G. Joseph Fitzgerald.
Born in Boston, MA in 1928, he grew up in Dover and graduated from Dover High School in 1945. He completed his freshman year of college at Ithaca College in NY and then enlisted in the US Army. He served in both Japan and Korea for two years. Upon completing his military service, he attended Boston University, graduating in 1950 with a B.S. in Education. He continued his education at Ohio State University and in 1951 received his Master’s degree in Education. While at Ohio State, he played football as a linebacker for the Buckeyes.
He began his teaching career in Natick at the Coolidge Junior High School where he taught science and coached football and basketball. He later taught at Natick High School until his retirement in 1989. His students remembered him as an extremely gifted teacher who was “demanding but fair, who really cared about student-achievement and worked hard to help students learn”. As a beloved coach, many of the outstanding Natick High School football and basketball teams of the 1950’s, 60’s and early 70’s received their “basic training” under Coach Fitzgerald. One of his former players said of him, “He was a disciplinarian who taught fundamentals—a no-nonsense type of coach—but his players played hard for him”.
After 38 years in the Natick School system, the retired Fitzgerald became the Director of Recreation for the Town of Hopkinton and served in that capacity for 5 years. He was an avid and talented golfer for over 60 years and in 1965 won the Club Championship title at Pinecrest Golf Club in Holliston. Fitzgerald was a member of numerous social, civic and professional organizations. He was a life-time member of the Natick Lodge of Elks, The American Legion Post #209 in Dover, The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, The US Golf Club Association and a faithful parishioner of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Framingham.
He had a gregarious personality, a great sense of humor, a zest for life and many truly genuine friendships. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
In addition to his beloved wife, Joan Fitzgerald, he leaves a sister, Jane Golden of Harwich, two daughters; Helen M. Fitzgerald and Susan M. Fitzgerald, three step-children; Kathleen Larson Day and her husband Chuck Day, Mark Larson and his wife Meghan, Sarah Larson and her husband Mike DiPalma,and many nieces and nephews, his three granddaughters and eight step-grandchildren all adored their “Papa”.
A funeral service will be celebrated on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 10am at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Framingham. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery in Dover. Visiting hours will be held at the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, at Natick Common, Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00P.M. and from 7:00 to 9:00P.M.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Jerry’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: Outreach Fund, 3 Maple Street Framingham, 01702.