Clifford P. FitzGerald, 78, of Mattapoisett, pilot

Clifford Peter FitzGerald of Atlantis, Fla., and Mattapoisett, a pilot, died Tuesday at his home. He was 78.

He was born in Newton and attended Newton High School. He graduated from Boston University in 1962.

He was captain of the hockey team while at Boston University and has a scholarship named after him.

Mr. FitzGerald completed his pilot training at Craig Air Force Base near Selma, Ala., as second lieutenant and flew with the Strategic Air Command and the Tactical Air Command in Plattsburg, N.Y., and Columbus, Ohio.

He flew more than 100 missions over Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

He worked for Delta Airlines as an engineer and worked his way up to captain of the Boeing 757/767.

He led the Florida Civil Air Patrol as colonel for the Air Force Reserves and retired from the Air Force in 1992 and from Delta Airlines in 1995.

Mr. FitzGerald was a racing aficionado, golfer and summertime lobsterman.

Husband of the late Ginnie Milott, he is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline “Lyn” Brown of McLean, Va., and Karen “Kira” Langolf of Atlantis, Fla.; a brother, Paul Carey of Sandy Hook, Conn.; and four grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett.

Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Mattapoisett.

Arrangements by Saunders Dwyer Home For Funerals, Mattapoisett.