Thomas J. Fitzgerald, 66, of rural Fort Calhoun, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha.

Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, and a Vigil service will be held at 7 p.m., all at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun.

A funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with interment in the Fort Calhoun Cemetery.

Thomas James Fitzgerald was born Aug. 8, 1936, to John J. and Anna C. Fitzgerald. He was born at home in the area southeast of Fort Calhoun known as Garryowen. He attended the Garryowen School through the eighth grade, and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Omaha in 1954. He attended Creighton University, graduating in 1959 with a degree in education.

He began his teaching career at Garryowen School, where he taught all grades. He then taught at Fort Calhoun Schools and later at Rummel High School in Omaha. After his teaching career, he worked at Mutual of Omaha as an insurance underwriter for 20 years, retiring in 1987.

He was recognized as a dedicated and distinguished leader in both church and community. As a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, he served in many capacities, including trustee, financial officer, bookkeeper as well as parish council and building committee member.

Mr. Fitzgerald’s service to the Fort Calhoun community included 28 years as a member of the Fort Calhoun Community School’s Board of Education. He was recently honored with an award from the Fort Calhoun Education Association and a Distinguished Service Award from the Fort Calhoun Schools. His service on this board was greatly admired and appreciated.

His tenacity and courage enabled him to overcome many obstacles in living a life totally oriented to serving his God and his community.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; brother and sister-in-law, John and Margaret Fitzgerald of Fort Calhoun; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Francis Dillon of Gretna; brother and sister-in-law, Terence and Martha Fitzgerald, sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and James Townley; sisters, Patricia Miller and Sister Sheila Fitzgerald, all of Garryowen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Daniel and Michael.

Memorials are suggested to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Fort Calhoun Community Schools.

Sievers-Sprick Funeral Home in Fort Calhoun is in charge of arrangements.

From Funeral leaflet

In Loving Memory of Thomas James Fitzgerald

Born August 8, 1936 Washington County, Nebraska; Died December 22, 2002, Omaha, Nebraska

Funeral Mass 10 am Friday, December 27, 2002 St. John The Baptist Catholic Church. Presider: Father Ron Noeker; Celebrants: Father Dan Galas, Father James Schwertley.

Pallbearers: Matt Townley, Caleb Townley, Robert Fitzgerald, Bill Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald, Tom Gepson, Pete Gepson, Terry Fitzgerald, Travis Fitzgerald, Jim Dillon, Mike Dillon

Visitation and Vigil Service: 3 pm Thursday, December 26, 2002. Vigil Service at 7 pm. St John The Baptist Catholic Church.

Interment: Fort Calhoun Cemetery, Fort Calhoun, Nebraska.

~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska~~ FindaGrave memorial 18175424