River Ryan
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of James Patrick ‘Paddy’ Fitzgerald, age 66, on Friday, June 12, 2020 after a battle with cancer. Paddy passed away at home surrounded by his family.
Born on March 24, 1954 in Sydney, Paddy was the son of the late James and Rosella (Hayes) Fitzgerald, and he grew up on Grand Lake Road.
Paddy is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margaret (Doran); three sons, Pat, Jamie and Timmy (Jen); two sisters, Ann (Ronnie Osborne) and Veronica (Phil MacAulay); many nieces and nephews; his loving cousin, Ambrose and a very special fur baby, Wiggum.
Besides his parents, Paddy was predeceased by his sister, Barbara and brother, Simon.
Paddy was a very hard worker who spent over 40 years as a laborer. He truly loved to work, stay busy and always be on the go. You could often find him at Robin’s Donuts however, taking a break for a coffee with the boys.
Paddy had many interests; in his earlier days, he was a slow pitch pitcher for the Yamaha Lakers. This passion for ball continued, as he was a lifelong fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. He loved driving to Ontario to see his family and to catch a few ball games along the way. Paddy loved animals, riding his motorcycle, cheering for the Leafs, taking his wife shopping at the mall, singing with his sisters and spending time with his three sons, who were his pride and joy.
Paddy was a jokester who enjoyed teasing those closest to him. He could always put a smile on your face with his great stories and big heart. He was loving, supportive and caring. He will live on in our hearts and memories forever. Until we meet again.
We would like to thank the staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Cancer Centre, the VON and the Palliative Care team for their care of Paddy in his time of need.
In lieu of flowers, donations, in memory of Paddy, can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Hospice Palliative Care Society.
Memorial service for the late James Patrick Fitzgerald will be announced when circumstances permit.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
To The Fitzgerald family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the death of your husband and Father.
May you alll find strength and comfort in each other through this difficult time, and may Paddy RIP.
From: Johnnie and Debbie MacKinnon
So sorry to hear about Patty. He was a very nice guy. Our condolences go out to all the family.
From: Linda (MacDonald) Kieley
My condolences to the whole family Paddy made e very day brighter.
From: Allan Morrison
So sorry for your great loss.
From: Debbie and Jack MacDonald (O’Dea)
To the Fitzgerald family: I am so sorry to hear about your great loss. Paddy and I worked together many times over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
From: Domenico Camilli
I regret I was not able to attend the memorial service for Paddy today. I knew Paddy through mutual friends of Bill W. He was a down-to-earth, humble guy who was always willing to pitch in and help out at functions and he always had that friendly smile. I also ran into him at Robin’s! Yes, I’ll miss him, a loss for all of us. Rest in peace, Paddy.
From: Colleen Gillis
God bless you all .Patty was one of the best he sure will be missed.Now we have an angel looking over us .RIP Paddy
So sorry to hear of Paddy’s passing. My condolences to the entire family.
Paddy was a great man. I am glad to have gotten to know him from working with my Husband through the Labour’s Union at a work site back in 2016. He cared about everyone and always asked how I was doing with my Cancer. Sorry for your loss.
Paddy was a great friend and brother in law. I will sorely miss him. Thinking of all the great times we had growing up. Love to my sister and nephews in this time of grief. Love from all of us. You are in our prayers.
i am so sorry to hear of Paddy’s passing .He was a family friend and married to my favourite childhood friend and cousin Maggie my heart breaks for you sweetheart all my love and prayers
Eileen Doran
Sincerely, I’m truly sorry for your loss. I’ve only met him a handful of times, but I know who he raised, and if that is any reflection of the man then he was a great man among men and will be missed by all those who knew him. All my best to the family and friends.
We will all miss you. You were an amazing Uncle. Lots of love to the family at this time. Love your niece Dorothy and your great niece Sadie.
Deepest condolences, to Pat and family.
Jennifer and Timmy so glad you moved back home and had quality time with your parents. Thinking of you both, Mary from Pembroke
So sorry Margaret and boys for your loss. Paddy was a wonderful person. How lucky you were to have such a wonderful husband and father to your sons. He will be greatly missed.
I am so sorry to hear of Paddy’s passing. I worked at Robin’s Donuts years ago…and Paddy was an important friendly face who became part of the scenery each day. Coffee and chats about the events of the day along with a good laugh was always a welcomed part of my shift when Paddy was in the shop. He always asked me about my father and how he was doing…which I always appreciated. Without a doubt he is shaking hands with my father now…and hell make a mark in heaven…just like he did here. My sincere sympathy to his family and dear friends.
Send our condolences. Paddy’s family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss
I am so sorry Margaret and boys for your loss. Paddy always had a smile for you when we would meet up.
Shauna Walker
I grew up with Paddy on Grand Lake Road and played ball with him and I just wanted your family to know as I am sure you already do, that he was a such a fantastic guy and a true pleasure to be around. My deepest condolences to all Paddy’s family.
My condolences to Patty’s family. I too grew up on Grand Lake Road. Patty’s sister Barbra andI were good friends in grade primary and grade one. It’s a difficult time loosing a family member because of covid19. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We are so sad to hear the passing of your Dad , an a brother to Veronica and Ann , he was one of the nicest guys you would want to meet he loved going to Robins and chatting with the boys . He we I’ll be greatly missed Sosa’s to see 🙏❤️😢heaven gains an 😇
So sorry to hear of Paddy’s passing, he will be missed by all of the people who knew him especially his friends from Grand Lake Road. Paddy always had a smile and time to ask how you were doing. Our condolences to his family
Paddy you will be missed at the market my friend…May you R.I.P
My condolences to Paddy’s family . Paddy was a great guy and will be truly missed .
So sorry to hear about the passing of Paddy, he was such a great guy! My thoughts and prayers are with his family, RIP Paddy.
My deepest condolences to Margaret , Boys and family. Paddy was a great guy. You will definitely be missed. RIP Paddy💔
So sorry for your loss.
GOD BLESS
My sincere condolences to all the family, RIP.
Paddy was one of the best weather it was work playing ball or being a dad. So sorry Margret and to the boys .He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
So sorry for your families loss I also grew up on Grand Lake Road hung out at his mothers with the girls, he was a good person for sure.
My heartfelt condolences to Margreat Tim James and Pat Ann Veronica and all the family Patty was an amassing friend and an exceptional person RIP god bless
My deepest condolences to Margaret and sons. I have known Paddy a great number of years. He was wonderful to know and he loved Margaret and the boys so completely. 41 years of marriage proves it. Rest in Peace Paddy…Godspeed.
I am so sorry for the loss of Paddy, he was such a good guy, we laughed and joked every time we ran into each other. I know everybody loved him and he will be missed by all, I am sure. I will always remember him playing lob ball and running down to 1st base. Also I will aways hear him singing “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” you will be remembered by all…..Have a good rest my friend !
So sorry to hear of Paddy’s passing, he will be missed by all of the people who knew him especially his friends from Grand Lake Road. Paddy always had a smile and time to ask how you were doing. Our condolences to his family
So sorry to hear about Paddy. Sending condolences and love to all the family at the truly difficult time. He was a great man and will be missed.
We will surely miss Paddy. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with your family, Rest in Peace
Daniel and Carolyn Deleskie
Our deepest condolences to you and your family our love and prayer are with you all
Love John and Sharron Burke (Tucker)
Speaking for all the girls that work at Robins, we will miss the songs he was always singing and the smile he always had on his face. I have met many people working at Robins and I am not alone when I say he has always been 1 of my favorites. Rest easy my friend, you will be missed
This world lost a wonderful man.Paddy was the nicest person you could ever meet.Always remember him singing wherever he went.He loved his family more then life itself.He definitely will be missed.So very sorry for your loss😔
So sorry to hear of Paddy’s passing, we hung around together for a long time years ago. My deepest condolences to his family…Rest in Peace Paddy
My deepest condolences to All members of Paddy’s family especially Margaret and the boys
I talked to Paddy about three weeks ago and shared a lot of laughs about growing up on Grand Lake Rd.
I am so grateful for that phone call and I will miss Paddy dearly.
May god give you the strength and courage you need during this difficult time.
Sending deepest sympathy to Paddys family and his sisters Ann and Veronica may he rest in peace. Patsy Burke Jones.
Paddy my friend I will NEVER forget you. I will remember you as the person who could change, the way a person felt if they were having a bad day. Maybe a joke or a song, you were the best friend a person could have. GOING TO MISS YOU. Condolences to your FAMILY.
So sorry to hear of another lost Grand Laker. My deepest condolences to Margaret and sons. RIP, Paddy.
R.I.P. OLD FRIEND
So sorry to hear about Paddy ‘s passing. He will certainly be missed. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to Paddy’s family.
Daniel and Carolyn Deleskie
So sorry to hear about Paddy’s passing. He was such a great guy and will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. Our deepest sympathy to Paddy’s wife Margaret and the three boys.
Our condolences e to the family. Daniel and Carolyn Deleskie
Sorry to hear this news. Patty was a great guy. He always had a smile for anyone he encountered. Rest in peace
Margaret and boys,
Words can not express how sad to loose such a great brother in law. As long as I can remember Paddy had always been in our lives. Always at the house with Nick when they were growing up and then him and Margaret got married and gave us three handsome nephews. It breaks my heart that you are gone .
I have comfort in knowing you are not alone. Please give my Fred a hug for me.
Forever and always in my heart
To The Fitzgerald family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the death of your husband and Father.
May you all find strength and comfort in each other through this difficult time, and may Paddy RIP.
Johnnie and Debbie Mac Kinnon
My deepest sympathy to my sister Margaret and nephews. Words cannot express how sad we are to loose him.
Paddy was a great brothers-in-law. I never knew life without him. He was always around with Nick growing up. Then
married Margaret and gave us three handsome nephews.
We will miss that smile and sense of humour.
Always and forever in our hearts
My condolences go out to the family at this sad time. Paddy came into BK for breakfast on Sundays. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. R.I.P. my friend.
Rest in peace Pat, i will miss seeing you at Robins. great guy gone to soon.
It is with great sadness that I hear about Paddy’s passing. For myself I took some time for me to Digest the realization that Paddy Fitzgerald was no longer with us, A great man an honorable man a great friend and a brother as he was a brother of labor’s Union he was my brother. I will remember many things about Paddy but there was alway the way he greeted people You would ask how are you Paddy and he would reply; Top shelf. Still to this day it makes me smile. No matter the pain that this man was in he would always find it within himself to make the people around him smile and greet them and make them feel like they were the center of the universe. This being said I am very grateful for all the lives that he is touched including mine and my wife’s. James Patrick(Paddy) Fitzgerald we the people and your loved ones will always remember you and never forget What you stood for thank you enter thoughts and prayers and condolences are with your family.
Saddened to hear of Paddy’s passing. He could always brighten your day with a laugh, smile, joke or great story. My condolences to the family and his friends, he will be missed dearly.
Dear Fitzgerald Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of Paddy. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed by many. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
The McGuires
We lost great brother in law .He was always smiling and laughing.
He was a great dad and husband to my sister Margaret. We will all miss him dearly .Rest in peace now.
Sending sincere condolences to Margaret and sons.Got to know Paddy through his long friendship with my husband Leo, Always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eyes and a song on his lips.RIP dear friend
Jenn and Leo Tomko