William J. Fitzgerald

William J. Fitzgerald

William J. Fitzgerald, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, at his home in Leisure Park in Lakewood, NJ.

He was born in Johnsonburg, PA was raised in Elizabeth, NJ, and resided over the years in Union and Mountainside before moving to Bridgewater, NJ.

Bill served proudly in the US Navy during WWII as a Machinist's Mate Third Class aboard the destroyer USS Forrest.

He was an active parishioner in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Union, NJ and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Mountainside, NJ. He was also a lifelong member of the Holy Name Society, and served as Chapter Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mountainside.

Before his retirement in 1985, Bill worked as a union carpenter and millwright for 42 years. He shared his considerable expertise in carpentry with friends and family members alike.

He is predeceased by his first wife, Ellen Marie Fitzgerald (née Higgins), and his son William J. Fitzgerald, Jr.

Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Shirleyan Fitzgerald, and her children: Alan Rhodes, Patricia Della Salla, Nancy Palladino, Ken Rhodes, Linda Burkhardt, Larry Rhodes and Jackie Vannozzi, 20 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Bill also leaves his beloved daughter, Peg Pendergast, her husband, John, his two grandchildren, Kate and John Jr., wife Laura and his great grandson, Shawn.

Visitation will begin on Saturday, January 24 at 9AM at the Cusick Funeral Home 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, NJ concluding with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, 500 US Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, E. Hanover