(Gerry, GJ, Fitzy)
Gerry was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 9th, 1935 to Agnes Brew and James Fitzgerald. Gerry attended Iona College where he majored in Marketing. Later in life, he used that business training to be one of the rare people to be successful with penny stocks. He worked for various plastic firms over the course of his 50+ years in the industry. His longevity over the years is remarkable as was his skill with people.
He is survived by his children, Beth Giovine, Patrice Scheffler, Gerald Fitzgerald Junior, and 13 grandchildren. His daughter Lynn predeceased him. In his youth, Gerry was an outstanding basketball player for the New York Tuck Tapers. At 6feet5in, he was an imposing figure on the basketball court. He kept in touch with classmates from his grammar school, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, and very much enjoyed their regular reunions. In his later years, as an athlete he would challenge his children and grandchildren to a short race, which he usually won with great satisfaction. Gerry enjoyed a good laugh, a fine cigar, and most of all retelling the old stories. His children could probably recite the stories-on cue and recall the colorful characters such as Toddy O’Rourke. He was a history buff and was meticulous with detail insisting that our family was Norman not Irish. He also liked to play Ride of the Valkyries at full volume in honor of the Vikings.
Gerry was quite a character. He will be missed.