HAVERHILL: Philip D. FitzGerald, 80, died Saturday, October 31, 2009 in the Lawrence General Hospital.
Born in Haverhill on January 10, 1929, he was the son of the late Daniel M. and Eleanor E. (Coakley) FitzGerald. A lifelong resident of Haverhill, Philip was a graduate of the Haverhill Trade School. A U. S. Army veteran of World War II, he was honorably discharged as a corporal on March 24, 1948.
Philip was employed for many years for the City of Haverhill, first as the veteran's service administrator and then the treasurer and tax collector before his retirement in 1992.
He was a member of the Salem-Derry Lodge of Elks, and a former member of the Lorraine Post No. 29, V.F.W.
He is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela S. and Michael Daggett of Haverhill, Cynthia J. and Shawn McKallagat of Bradford, Kathleen E. and Richard Greene of Haverhill and Susan A. and Kevin Kelleher of Bradford, a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel P. and Pamela FitzGerald of Grafton, his wife, Marlene (Comeau) FitzGerald, eleven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a sister, Jean Rogers and three brothers, Austin, Robert and John FitzGerald. He will be dearly missed by his entire family who will remember his love, compassion and generous spirit. Phil's family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and healthcare staff at the Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Lawrence General Hospital, Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, Whittier Home Healthcare and the personnel at Haverhill Crossings Assisted Living where Phil resided. The care and compassion they gave Phil went beyond what anyone could have expected.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday in the St. James Church, Winter St., Haverhill at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill from 4 - 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. Interment will be held in the Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill.