Walter Johnson FitzGerald

FITZGERALD, WALTER JOHNSON of Palm Harbor, FL;  Born 12/7/1932, Died 1/27/2018

Walter J. “Walt” FitzGerald was tragically and unexpectedly taken from us in a traffic crash on January 27, 2018. 

Walt was from the small town of West Berkshire, VT.  Son of Rev. Roger W. & Villa FitzGerald.  Walt was a graduate of Florida Southern College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers, achieving the rank of Captain.  Walt married his wife Shirley in 1963, and they went on to have three daughters who they initially raised in Big Flats and Appalachin, NY. In the late 1970’s the family moved to Florida, eventually settling in Safety Harbor.  Shirley passed away in 2008, and Walt remained in Safety Harbor until 2015, when he moved to St. Mark Village in Palm Harbor. 

Walt had a long and distinguished career as an Electrical Engineer, working for several companies through the years.  Most recently, he was employed by Spring Engineering in Holiday, but he also did consulting work, and was currently licensed as an Electrical Engineer in over 25 states.  Walt was a life-long learner, with an active and curious mind.  He was recently learning more about the newest solar powered electrical systems and battery storage devices.

Walt loved to travel and visited most American states, including Hawaii and Alaska.  He also traveled extensively in the Caribbean and Europe. At least once a year, Walt treated his extended loving family to a reunion trip, and he covered the cost of everyone’s lodging and plenty of meals. 

He was an exceedingly kind, caring, and generous man who always impacted everyone he met in a positive way.  Walt was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather (Pop Pop), and great-grandfather.  He was extremely close to his three children, Renee (Paul), Tami (David) and Tracy.  He filled their world with love and laughter.  Walt had many friends, including those he knew from his nearly 40 years attending the Oldsmar United Methodist Church, where he could be found on most Sunday mornings singing in the choir in his impressive baritone.    Walt was an excellent bowler, and a member of the league at Dunedin Lanes. He was also a member of the “Fun Chorus” at St. Mark Village. 

Walt’s sudden passing has left a hole in his family’s lives that can never be filled.  He will be deeply and sorely missed by his family, his friends, his church, and by all who’s lives he has touched.

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