Joe Fitzgerald, Longtime Naugatuck Public Servant, Dies at 88

Joseph D. Fitzgerald passed away on Monday July 9, 2012, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the widower of Lorraine (Patterson) Fitzgerald.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born on March 19, 1924, in Naugatuck as the son of the late John Fitzgerald and Sarah (O'Brien) Fitzgerald. Joe attended St. Francis School, Naugatuck High School and Post College. He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, were he also served as an usher for many years. He retired from the Royal Globe Insurance where he worked as an insurance adjuster. After retirement he was elected as Tax Collector of Naugatuck. He also worked for Edward J. Sodlosky CPA, and the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home. Joe's favorite pastime was to be together with his devoted family, especially at his summer home on Cape Cod and his winters in Florida. Joe also loved his politics, whether he was reading about it or discussing the latest issues.

He was a member of the Naugatuck Board of Education, the Democratic Town Committee, the Elks, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Mr. Fitzgerald was also a decorated WWII veteran, serving as a Sergeant in the US Army. He participated in all of the major campaigns in the European theater serving under General Collins, from D-Day to Victory Day, earning five metals.

He is survived by his four loving daughters, Mary Ellen Osiecki and her husband David of Delray Beach, FL, Cindy Sodlosky and her husband Edward of Middlebury, Lori Fitzgerald and her significant other Tom Barton of Naugatuck and Jean Fortin and her husband Greg of Naugatuck with whom he resided. Joe cherished and raised his four daughters after the sudden death of his wife Lorraine in 1965. He is also survived by his six grandchildren which he adored , Michael and Timothy Osiecki, Stacey Sodlosky-Wilking, Lorianne Adamaitis, Stephen and Carissa Fortin, two great-grandchildren, Alexis Siggars and Carter Osiecki. Of course we can't forget his best pal, his beloved dog Baily

He was predeceased by two sisters, Genevieve Leahy and Sally Bannon and his brother John Fitzgerald.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave, Naugatuck to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street Naugatuck for a mass at 10:00 a.m. A burial with full Military Honors will be at St. James Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 4-7 p.m.

The family is tremendously grateful to all his caregivers for all the love and support they provided.

To honor Joe's memory, in lieu of flowers, Memorial donations in his name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

For more information and to place online condolences please logon to:www.buckmillerbrothers.com .