Robert Henry Fitzpatrick

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your back… and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand” - an apt blessing for our beloved Irishman on this next leg of his journey that began on St. Patrick’s Day.

On March 17, 2023, Robert Henry Fitzpatrick died at the age of 93.  Born on May 23,1929 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Bob was the fourth of six children born to William Joseph Fitzpatrick and Edith O’Hara Fitzpatrick.  Raised with his siblings Margie, Bill, Jack, Bunny and Gail in Fairfield, Bob attended Fairfield College Preparatory School after which he entered the first freshman class to graduate from Fairfield University.  Following graduation in 1951, Bob joined his father, uncle, and brother, Bill, in the Fitzpatrick Insurance Agency where he worked until retirement in 1985.

In 1953, Bob met his first love, Evelyn Homa, whom he married later that year.  Together, they raised their three children, Stephen, Lisa and Maura, in Trumbull, Connecticut where Bob filled his time with family, friends and service to his community.  In addition to serving as Trumbull Town Meeting Moderator, Bob gave time to numerous organizations including the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Heart Association, and the Bridgeport Association of Independent Insurance Agents, all of which he served at one time or another as president.

While living in Trumbull, Bob also began pursuing a longtime interest in acting.  Starting with a lead role in the Trumbull Community Theater production of “Mousetrap,” Bob later became involved in numerous Fairfield University Theater productions as well as many Westport Community Playhouse shows, starring in roles such as Mitch in “Streetcar Named Desire”; Ben Franklin in “1776”; and Gardner Church in “Painting Churches.” Bob also performed in several productions for the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse earning his Actor’s Equity card.  As a part of his acting career, he also performed in numerous corporate training videos and even had a modeling career that included being the “hands” of Stanley Tools.

Five years after the unexpected death of his wife Evelyn in 1985, Bob was blessed to meet Jane Copeland, the second love of his life.  They married in 1992 and moved to Punta Gorda, Florida in 1998 where Bob immersed himself in local life and was able to fully pursue his lifelong passion for sailing.  While Bob made many friends throughout the community, many of those friendships were formed with fellow members of the Punta Gorda Mariners with whom “Captain Bob” shared numerous sailing adventures over the next 20 years.

As a father, a brother, a husband, a son, a grandfather, a father-in-law, an uncle or just friend, Bob was unfailingly kind, loyal, patient and considerate - always generous with his time, always the first to help anyone.  He was a man who modeled a life of kindness and honesty balanced with humor, joy and love.   And no matter what hat he might be wearing – whether it was that of “Papa Fitz” to his grandsons Sam, Mac and Brendan, or Uncle Bob to the many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews he loved dearly, or as a welcoming step-father to Robin and Bill, or as “Dear Old Dad”  - he was unconditional in his love and support.

If he were writing this, he would tell you not to mourn.  Love him.  Remember him.   Let him live on in your memory and your hearts, but don’t mourn.  Bob knew he was a lucky man and he felt blessed to have lived such a rich and full life.  He accepted that there comes a time when life as we know it must end; he was at peace with dying.  So instead of mourning, he would rather you gather and celebrate his memory.  He would love it if you told a few stories or found the time to share memories of time spent at the Wild Rose or at the Twin Lakes cottage or out sailing Erin.  He would be equally delighted if you sang a song in his memory or you recited “Casey at the Bat” or you gathered to play a game of charades.  But maybe he would be most honored if you took the time to watch the sun set, something he took the time to do almost every day.  And if you do, he would undoubtedly be grateful if you took a moment and offered a prayer on his behalf or perhaps an Irish toast in his honor.

If you wish to make a donation in his honor, please consider a contribution to Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa, where Bob’s sister, Sister Gail Fitzpatrick, resides (8400 Abbey Hill, Dubuque, IA  52003), or a contribution to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at  https://mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/Robert-Fitzpatrick-.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield, CT at 10:00 am. on August 10, 2023.