Thomas Elwood Fitzpatrick, 72, of Barrington, RI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and a beloved pastor for his church.
Tom was born in Queens, New York on January 1, 1951, to Thomas and Margaret (Elwood) Fitzpatrick. He had two older sisters, Betty and Maureen. He graduated from Holy Cross High School in Flushing in 1968 and stayed in touch with his classmates for the rest of his life. He attended college at SUNY Brockport and Ambassador College in England and Texas. Tom became an associate pastor in Michigan and then worked at Hazeltine Corporation on Long Island, NY, prior to becoming a full-time pastor of the Worldwide Church of God and serving congregations throughout the Eastern U.S. He spent much of his adult life in Barrington, Rhode Island, where he was heavily involved in the local community and youth sports. He had 5 children: Ryan, Timothy, Daniel, Kevin, and Nicole, and nine grandchildren who knew him as "Pops."
Tom was a lifelong committed member of his church, and he served as an ordained pastor for over 40 years. He provided comfort and advice to members of his congregations all the way through the final days of his life. He was known for his kind heart, his wise counsel, and his dedication to helping others. He was a mentor to many, including underserved New York City students through the Student Sponsors Program. He touched the lives of countless people.
In addition, Tom was a basketball referee with the International Association Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO Board 84) for many years, and was named the 2021 NFHS Rhode Island Official of the Year for Girls Basketball. He also loved spending time swimming at the beach, traveling, and gardening.
Tom will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and congregation. He was a kind, compassionate, and loving man who made a difference in the lives of everyone he knew.
His funeral service, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday, September 20th at 11:00 A.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield. Burial will follow at Prince's Hill Cemetery in Barrington.
Visitation will be held prior to the services, on Wednesday morning beginning at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to his church (Church of God AIC, 476 South Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101) or to the Student Sponsors Program of New York City (https://sspnyc.org/).
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com