Mark Fitzgerald
2018-12-15
Thomas “Mark” Fitzgerald, 71, longtime Central Park resident, currently of Duluth, MN died Saturday, December 15, 2018 unexpectedly but peacefully in his vacation home in Cable, WI. Mark, as he was known by, was born on May 11, 1947 in Superior, WI to Jerry and Jane (Lindberg) Fitzgerald.
He was raised in the Central Park neighborhood and attended Lincoln Elementary, Franklin Jr. High and East High Schools. He was selected to attend “Badger Boys State”, and was granted an appointment to West Point, but chose to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His life was shaped by the games learned at Red Barn, the neighborhood gathering spot. Mark’s natural athletic abilities were evident throughout his life. His early days were filled with football, baseball and hockey. He was a pitcher on the 1959 SYO Little League team that was quite successful, nearly making it to the LL World Series. His high school career included pitching in baseball and playing quarterback for the Orientals. Hockey was his passion. Besides coaching at the youth level during high school, he also played for the first high school combined hockey squad, leading to collegiate scholarship offers from multiple schools including UW. He chose to pursue his hockey future at UW Madison, where he played four years, a three year letterman and selected as co-captain of the 68-69 Wisconsin Badgers. His brother Jerry joined him on the Badgers in 1967 for a few seasons.
Mark served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He went on to work for the Minnesota Fighting Saints, the 1980 Gold Medal US Olympic Hockey Team. He was an entrepreneur, owning multiple restaurants, Ronnally’s in North St. Paul, The Upper Crust in St. Paul and Papillion’s Café in Rhinelander. When he returned to the Twin Ports area he started his own painting business. The past twelve years working side by side with his son, Patrick and other family members and friends.
Mark enjoyed making others happy, like playing Santa Claus at The Onaway Club for all the little ones in the family and neighborhood, or scheduling many a road trip for the “East 4th Street Hockey Gang.” He was the family organizer and earned the nickname “Camp Boss.” In true Mark fashion, he would be late or missing to his own parties. “Where’s Mark? He’s got the puck, now what?”
Mark was inducted into the Superior Athletic Hall of Fame on two occasions, first in 2009 with the 1959 Little League and in 2014 under Individual Athletic Accomplishments. Mark was a father figure, mentor and good friend to countless people. His motto in business and life was “We don’t have problems. We only have solutions.” Mark was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Mark is survived by two sons, Patrick (Rachel) Fitzgerald, Duluth, MN and Craig (Dee) Fitzgerald, South St. Paul, MN; three grandchildren, Eric (Teal), Daniel and Molly Fitzgerald; one great-granddaughter, Leti Fitzgerald; five brothers, Tim (Kathy), Scott (Candace), Jamie (Mary Pat), Jeff (Diane) and Rob (Mary Jo) Fitzgerald; lifelong friend, former wife and mother of his children, Fay Parish. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant sister and brother Gerald “Scooter” Fitzgerald, Jr.
He was raised in the Central Park neighborhood and attended Lincoln Elementary, Franklin Jr. High and East High Schools. He was selected to attend “Badger Boys State”, and was granted an appointment to West Point, but chose to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His life was shaped by the games learned at Red Barn, the neighborhood gathering spot. Mark’s natural athletic abilities were evident throughout his life. His early days were filled with football, baseball and hockey. He was a pitcher on the 1959 SYO Little League team that was quite successful, nearly making it to the LL World Series. His high school career included pitching in baseball and playing quarterback for the Orientals. Hockey was his passion. Besides coaching at the youth level during high school, he also played for the first high school combined hockey squad, leading to collegiate scholarship offers from multiple schools including UW. He chose to pursue his hockey future at UW Madison, where he played four years, a three year letterman and selected as co-captain of the 68-69 Wisconsin Badgers. His brother Jerry joined him on the Badgers in 1967 for a few seasons.
Mark served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He went on to work for the Minnesota Fighting Saints, the 1980 Gold Medal US Olympic Hockey Team. He was an entrepreneur, owning multiple restaurants, Ronnally’s in North St. Paul, The Upper Crust in St. Paul and Papillion’s Café in Rhinelander. When he returned to the Twin Ports area he started his own painting business. The past twelve years working side by side with his son, Patrick and other family members and friends.
Mark enjoyed making others happy, like playing Santa Claus at The Onaway Club for all the little ones in the family and neighborhood, or scheduling many a road trip for the “East 4th Street Hockey Gang.” He was the family organizer and earned the nickname “Camp Boss.” In true Mark fashion, he would be late or missing to his own parties. “Where’s Mark? He’s got the puck, now what?”
Mark was inducted into the Superior Athletic Hall of Fame on two occasions, first in 2009 with the 1959 Little League and in 2014 under Individual Athletic Accomplishments. Mark was a father figure, mentor and good friend to countless people. His motto in business and life was “We don’t have problems. We only have solutions.” Mark was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Mark is survived by two sons, Patrick (Rachel) Fitzgerald, Duluth, MN and Craig (Dee) Fitzgerald, South St. Paul, MN; three grandchildren, Eric (Teal), Daniel and Molly Fitzgerald; one great-granddaughter, Leti Fitzgerald; five brothers, Tim (Kathy), Scott (Candace), Jamie (Mary Pat), Jeff (Diane) and Rob (Mary Jo) Fitzgerald; lifelong friend, former wife and mother of his children, Fay Parish. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant sister and brother Gerald “Scooter” Fitzgerald, Jr.
Hey Mark I will always remember how nervous you were at the 50th reunion speaking and I was nervous about singing ocapela The Way We for We're, for all those who had gone to the Heaven's and weren't with us and those who there at the reunion. I think I gave you a hug but if I didn't will give you one we we see each other at the final reunion in sky. Miss you see you soon someday.
tribute by PJ LITTLE