Joseph Edward Fitzgerald was born in 1938 in Hutchinson, Kansas,
and moved with his family to the Bay Area in 1941 at the age of
three. He grew up in Oakland and Berkeley, California, the youngest
of five children, attending St. Patrick School in Oakland, St. Mary’s
College High School in Berkeley, and St. Mary’s College in Moraga,
where he graduated with a BS in Psychology in 1966.

He met Ann Carbis through mutual friends in 1959, and they married
at St. Jerome’s in El Cerrito on July 25, 1964. In their sixty years of
marriage, they raised a daughter, Madeleine, and three sons,
Eamon, Neil, and Owen, and were blessed with grandchildren, who
were the pride and delight of Joe’s life. Joe’s courage and love and
true faith in God comforted and sustained his family and friends at
the loss of his 16-year-old son, Owen, in 1990, and continues to
inspire us still.

Through his thirty-year career in the postal service, he touched
countless lives with his charm and empathy. At home, he built with
Ann a loving foundation for his family, always selflessly supporting
his wife and children’s educations, careers, and diverse interests. A
man of diverse interests himself, he read widely, traveled
enthusiastically, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid music
fan.

Joe was a devoted member of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, where he
worshipped for the past 70 years, attending Mass, saying the Rosary,
and following the advice of Blessed Father Solanus Casey to always,
“Thank God Ahead of Time.” He was full of gratitude to the very end.

He died peacefully on July 23, 2024 with his family by his side.

Joseph will be buried at St. Dominic Cemetery in Benicia at 12:30
pm, following today’s funeral Mass and reception in the Magdalen
Hall. All are welcome to attend.

The Fitzgerald family would like to thank everyone for their love and
support.

Donations may be made in Joseph’s name to his favorite charity by clicking here: Catholic Relief Services 

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