Memorial
The world lost a beloved son, brother and husband, an exceptional father, and a proud, loving grandfather and great-grandfather on February 3, 2016. Thomas Arlan (Tom) Fitzpatrick, 87 years old of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away at Cottage Grove Place after a long battle with cancer. Tom was born November 3, 1928 in Iowa City, Iowa the son of James T. Fitzpatrick and Rena (Tarbox) Fitzpatrick. He attended Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was also at Immaculate Conception that he was married to Joan Gorman on June 16, 1950 by the Reverend A. P. White.
Tom worked in the construction trades his entire life, lying about his age to get his first job as a brick tender at age 15. From that day forward he prided himself on his hard work ethic. In 1969 Tom founded Fitzpatrick Concrete Construction and owned that business until his retirement in late 1998. After retirement he and his wife Joan moved to Sun City West, Arizona. Due to failing health, they returned to the Cedar Rapids area in 2013.
Thomas is survived by; wife, Joan, three sons, Timothy (Denise) Fitzpatrick, Jeffry (Carol) Fitzpatrick and Dennis (Teresa) Fitzpatrick all of Cedar Rapids, three daughters, Christine (Mark) Milner, Beaverton, OR, René (Daniel) Melchior, Fayetteville, TN and Denise Fitzpatrick, Elkhorn, WI, a sister, Shirley A. (Fitzpatrick) May of Sun City West, and one brother, Donie L. (Lola) Fitzpatrick, of Cedar Rapids. 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, James T. and Rena S. Fitzpatrick; brothers James T. Fitzpatrick Jr. (died 1990), Irving J. Fitzpatrick (died 1990), Edward R. Fitzpatrick (died 2012), Leo L. Fitzpatrick (died 1998) and James B. Fitzpatrick (died at age 2 in 1941); a sister, Marguerite M. "Judy" Fitzpatrick (died 2011), a sister Barbara (Fitzpatrick) Driscoll (died 2016).
Breakfast was a special thing for Tom but even more special for those who shared it with him. He could always be found early mornings at Donutland or Tommy’s Café sipping his morning coffee. Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews relished the times they got to join him on his morning excursions. Game night was always precious too. Children and later grandchildren all have wonderful memories of learning how to play poker or getting schooled in Monopoly around grandpa’s kitchen table.
What Tom treasured most though was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to dote on them and would sit and talk for hours about his love for them and the delightful memories he had of them.
Tom will be missed, but the wonderful memories he made for us all will soften that pain until we see him again.
Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am Monday, February 8, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00-4:00 pm Sunday at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories State room where a vigil will be held at 3:30 pm.
Memorials may be given in his name to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 120 5th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 or Mercy Hospice, 315 18th Ave, Hiawatha, IA 52233.
A special thank you to the nurses and aides at Mercy Hospice and Cottage Grove Place-The Gardens for the special care that was given to Tom.