Maurice “Moe” L. Fitzgerald Sr.
GEORGIA – Maurice “Moe” L. Fitzgerald Sr., age 81, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington following a brief illness.
He was born in Meriden, CT on May 22, 1940 to the late Harold & Sarah “Betty” (Clark) Fitzgerald.
Moe spent the first part of his life in Connecticut where he graduated from Cheshire High School. After school he served in the U.S. Navy and received his honorable discharge in 1964. While in Connecticut Moe worked at Colt Firearms, Howie Chadwick Excavation, and Lane Construction. Moe married Mary (Lumbra) on June 15, 1963 and they settled in Vermont shortly after. In Vermont he worked for General Electric and UPS, and owned and operated Fitzgerald and Sons Lawn Care. Even after retirement, Moe had several more jobs with The Abbey Group, Sticks & Stuff, and Bruce King Automotive. Throughout Moe’s working career he came in contact with thousands of strangers that quickly became friends. He had a knack for knowing everyone’s name, their parents’ names, where they lived, and where they worked. Eventually, his family would have to ask him, “do you know their license plate!”
He had a passion for life and lived every day to the fullest – music, water, and loud motors are some of his favorite things. He loved listening to country music, making memories at the ocean, lake or pool, and attending car shows, drag races, or stock car races. He especially loved these interests when they could be shared with his family, and most of them have passed through to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Moe was an active member of his community and served several terms on the town of Georgia’s Planning Commission. He was a member of the Ascension Church in Georgia, filled in for devotion at Holy Angels Church in St. Albans, and guided his Godchildren, Gail Barry, Levon Fitzgerald, and Jenny Regan.
His family meant the world to him, Moe is the proud husband of Mary Fitzgerald of Georgia; the proud father of Maurice Jr. “Chuck” & Louise, George “Dan” & Maryann Fitzgerald, David & Joyce Fitzgerald, Sarah & Jason Lang, Jennifer & Dani Currier, and Jim Gibson who was like a son to him; and the proud Pepe of Katrina & Justin Hawkins, George “Danny” & Whitney Fitzgerald, Meagan Fitzgerald & Cliff Celestin, Levon Fitzgerald & Emma Stevens, Caleb & Ashley Fitzgerald, Mariah Fitzgerald & Keegan Mitchell, Alex Giroux, Jack Hurlbut, Jessica Fitzgerald-Lang & Paul Velardo, Jacques Blouin, and Andre Blouin. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren, Niah Celestin, Jayce Hurlbut, Finnegan Fitzgerald, Harrison Hawkins, Cora Fitzgerald, Skylar Celestin, Poppy Fitzgerald, Guinevere Fitzgerald, and Marley Hawkins; his siblings, John “Jack” & Betty Fitzgerald from Uvalde, Texas, and Joan Santoro from Groton, Connecticut; sister-in-law, Kathleen Lumbra; nieces & nephews, Staci-Jo Haslam, Joseph Lumbra Jr., Susan Lumbra, Denise Green, Richard & Denise Seriani, Diane & John Bafuma, Connie & Robert Breon, Gail Barry, Harold & Michelle Mitchell, Tara & Robert Restivo, Mark & Missy Fitzgerald, Leigh Ann Hurt, Wyatt Hurt, Ashley Hurt, and Stephen Hurt; close friends, Marvin & Judy Alderman, Jerry & Regina Baitz, Tony & Laurel Heinlein, Lorraine Papineau, Darlene & Richard Shasteen, Don & Kim Patenaude, and Bradley & Joanne Wells; and many people he interacted with over the years. Maurice was predeceased by his parents, Harold & Betty Fitzgerald; in-laws, George & Delia Lumbra; sister, Joan Santoro; brother-in-law, Joseph Lumbra; niece, Terry Doak; nephews, Michael Fitzgerald & David Barry; and his beloved four-legged side-kick, Philo.
Moe’s family will be holding private services at this time. Friends and family will be invited to his Life Celebration on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 12:00 noon at the Georgia Beach, 4815 Georgia Shore Road, Georgia, VT.
For those who wish, contributions in Moe’s memory may be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478.
Goss Life Celebration Homes is the area’s exclusive provider of Life Celebration events. Please visit our website to share condolences, photos and favorite memories at www.gossfs.com
