Obituary of Edward Arthur Fitzgerald

Edward Arthur Fitzgerald June 29, 1940 - October 1, 2021 Age 81 of Baldwin, NY. Ed went to be with God on October 1st 2021. He passed at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira. He is now reunited with his loving wife Judy Fitzgerald (nee Bacon); along with his predeceased brothers, John “Jack” and Kenneth “Stub” Fitzgerald. He is survived by his son Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Sally, of Rochester, NY; daughter Kelly Carr and her husband Patrick, of Bellerose Village, NY; seven grandchildren, Adam, Mackenzie, Sarah, Jacob, Lucy, Molly, and Amy; sisters Marleah Kemmerer of Elmira Heights and Eleanor Terwilliger of Erin, NY; nephews David Austin and Gene Austin; along with many other nephews, nieces, and their families. Ed was born on June 29th 1940 in Waverly, NY, son of the late John and Myrtle Fitzgerald (nee Sharp). His family lived on a modest farm near what is now Park Station. He learned to drive a team of horses when he was a young child, and a tractor when his legs were long enough. As he grew, he worked on other farms during the summer, milking cows, cleaning barns, and cultivating corn. He worked as a projectionist at the Elmira Heights movie theater. After graduating Thomas A. Edison High School in 1958, Ed drove across the country with a friend to visit his brother Jack in Seattle, then to California, before returning home. He drove a wrecked 1949 Ford convertible that he had spent months repairing. Ed fondly recalled this trip for the rest of his life. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1959, received basic training at Lackland AFB, and trained to be a Medical Technologist at Gunter AFB. He was stationed in Portland, OR, Orly Field in Paris, and South Ruislip, UK. Upon discharge, Ed was hired as a Medical Technician at St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1963. He worked in the laboratory for nearly 42 years, mostly as the Chemistry Section Head. He married Judy in 1966; they were each other’s only love. Together they most enjoyed their grandchildren, kayaking, and sitting together on their porch. Ed loved being outdoors and in the woods. He liked hunting, especially deer hunting, and treasured time spent with his children, grandchildren, and neighbors. Ed was a working social member of the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Department. Through the years Ed played basketball, softball, tennis, golf, and countless hours of euchre and rummy. As his children grew, he coached Little League. He never missed a game or a wrestling match. He didn’t mind one bit when his children began to beat him at ping pong and pool. He rooted for the Yankees and the Giants, always. Nothing was more important to Ed than faith, family, and friends, all of whom are invited to visit the Barber Funeral Home, 413 S. Main St., in Horseheads on Wednesday, October 6th 2021 from 2 pm to 5 pm. Ed’s Memorial Service will be held there on Thursday October 7th 2021 at 10 am. Committal will follow with military honors in Woodlawn National Cemetery, in Elmira. Those wishing may make a donation in Ed’s name to the North Chemung United Methodist Church, c/o Karen Dimmick, 677 Breesport N. Chemung Rd., Lowman, NY 14861.