James E. Fitzgerald

James Edward Fitzgerald, Navy Veteran, avid emailer of his congressman, and larger than life Notre Dame fan, lost his long battle with cancer on November 16th, 2023.

James was born on August 7th, 1941, to Geraldine and Vincent Fitzgerald. He had 3 sisters-Patricia, Helen (deceased) and Sharon (deceased).

During his school days he was an active member of the “Tootaberries”, a very exclusive club that he shared membership with his lifelong friend, George “Pete” Thomas and Eddie Coco. The 65 cent member dues were a small fee to pay for the good times they shared roaming Waverly and gathering apples from forbidden trees.

After graduating from Waverly High School, Jim entered the United States Navy where he served as part of “Operation Deep Freeze” on the USS Glacier. During his time in the Navy, he traveled the world and spent most of his time in Antarctica breaking way in McMurdo Sound.

When he returned to the Valley he began his career on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps. During this time, he became actively involved in the United Transportation Union and was the Local Chairman for Local 810. Eventually he was voted into the position of Secretary of the Board of Appeals for the UTU based in Cleveland, Ohio.

On September 11th, 1993, Jim married the love of his life, Luann Marie. Together they shared 30 years of love and laughter and countless hours of “patio time” where the smiles and conversations usually carried deep into the night.

Jim loved the Red Sox and cigars, but to say that he loved Notre Dame is an understatement. He was a true Irishman, right down to his “mastery” of the Irish jig.

         He is survived by his wife Luann, his daughter Shannon (Adam) Price of Rock Hill, SC, his stepchildren Nicole Young and Coby (Becky) Young, his grandchildren Zachary, Makenna, Max, Savannah, and Gabby, his sister Patricia (Jim) Flanagan, Tara (Bob) Barry, Tim (Denise) Cardi, Tom Cardi, Tammy (Dan) Kirtley and Keith Crowningshield, and many nieces and nephews.

James will forever be missed, as his passing has left a hole in our days that no other can fill. Notre Dame football Saturdays will never be the same, and his unbreakable spirit and unshakeable foundation proved him to be the rock that so many of us learned to lean on when we needed to.

I will forever miss his words of advice, even when I didn’t want to hear them, our daily evening phone call, and driving anywhere with him in the Valley and hearing about all the “traffic”.

Dad, we will always keep our chins up and a smile on our faces because of you. Godspeed and Go Irish.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of The Thomas Cremation and Funeral Service, 1297 Elmira St., Sayre, Pa., Those wishing to leave a sympathy message may do so at thomascremationfuneralservice.com

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