Neil C. Fitzgerald, 76, of Dartmouth died Friday, April 11, 2008 at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Marie (Mahoney) Fitzgerald. They were married 36 years.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Cornelius P. and Mary A. (Sullivan) Fitzgerald.
He was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Stonehill College, and received his M. Ed. degree from Bridgewater State College. From 1953 - 1955 he served in the U.S. Army and in the Army Reserves until 1961. He taught English at Roosevelt Junior High for 30 years.
Neil was Massachusetts Teacher of the Year in 1968. He was a prolific writer whose poems, articles, children's stories and plays appeared in publications across the country.
In 1978 Neil was affiliated with the 1st Order of the Franciscans of the Holy Name in appreciation of his 22 years of volunteer work at Our Lady's Chapel in downtown New Bedford. He also belonged to the Fitzgerald Family History Group in Fall River, B.C.R.T.A., R.E.A.M., and Stonehill Alumni Association. He was an avid fan of all sports especially baseball and golf.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister-in-law Louise Whelton and her husband Dr. James Whelton of Wayland, a niece Mary Louise Francis-Sylvia of Acushnet, 4 nephews, James Francis of New Bedford, James Whelton of Quincy, David Whelton of Dorchester, and Matthew Whelton of Belmont, 3 grandnephews, Adam Sylvia, Marcos Whelton, and Santiago Whelton, a grandniece, Erin Sylvia, and many cousins.
He was the brother-in-law of the late Rev. Francis L. Mahoney.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Beford Tuesday, April 15th at 10 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, Dartmouth at 11 AM. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday, April 14th from 3-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Mary's Parish, 783 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA 02748.