A profile of Michael Fitzgibbons, his impact and his legacy
Michael and I were both born and raised in Syracuse, New York.
We met as teenagers, later married and had our two children, Katie and David. Michael worked for a Syracuse bank that merged with Key Bank of Albany back in the early 1980’s. In 1984, the bank transferred Michael to Albany and so we moved our young family here, settling in Saratoga Springs.
When we lived in Syracuse, Michael would volunteer for various organizations, such as our parish church as their treasurer and teaching adults how to read through our Adult Literacy Program. After a while, Michael began looking to volunteer for an organization he felt passionate about and one where he could be an asset.
A friend familiar with Saratoga Bridges (Saratoga ARC at the time) told Michael that they were looking for a new Board Member. Michael visited with their staff, toured their facilities and met with the Board. There was an immediate connection and Michael happily joined the Board and soon became their treasurer. And, so began a wonderful, lifelong friendship for Michael, Saratoga Bridges and our family.
Throughout the 18 years Michael served on the Board, I recall countless times when he would return home after a meeting and praise the passion, intelligence, and deep caring of the entire Board. He was thrilled to be a part of such a worthwhile organization run by devoted individuals. Michael grew to have an especially close relationship with Valerie Muratori, (Executive Director) and Jane Mastaitis (CFO).
On one early Sunday morning, sadly for all of us, Michael passed away of a suddenly from a heart attack at just 55 years young. Word spread quickly, I suppose, and by that afternoon, I answered my door and there stood Val and Jane. I was very touched by this heartfelt act that showed how deeply they cared for Michael and our family.
In Michael’s remembrance, I had asked that donations be made to Saratoga Bridges — and in they came! Val told me that so much was donated in his name that she wanted to do something special with the money to honor Michael. That is how the J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Scholarship Fund was initiated. Each year, a scholarship is awarded to supports a Saratoga Bridges employee who is working to advance his or her own education.
It is difficult to relay how much this would have meant to Michael. He grew up in a working-class family. Being the oldest, he began working as a young boy, after school, to help his family. College was not an option. In his career, Michael went on to become a very successful businessman, working alongside most who had advanced degrees.
He valued education so much and it was his one regret that he never graduated college. However, Michael was a unique individual. He was a visionary, wise and loaded with common sense. Val could not have known that establishing this scholarship in his name is the highest compliment that could be paid to him.
But Saratoga Bridges did not stop there. Back in 2005, when Michael passed away, Saratoga Bridges had recently been hosting begun another summer fundraiser, a golf tournament for 2 years. Michael enjoyed golf which, Val knew, so she held a dedication to rename the event The J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Golf Classic, with a portion of the tournament’s proceeds each year going to the scholarship fund.
The golf tournament, held at the Edison Club, has grown each year and has turned out to be a beloved chance for our family and friends to connect and enjoy the camaraderie Michael enthused to everyone. We are all committed to attending, honoring Michael and supporting of Saratoga Bridges. He would have loved to be there with his boisterous, Irish laugh bringing smiles to every player.
My family and I will forever be indebted to Saratoga Bridges for their love of Michael and for honoring him and his memory. We thank them and hope more people join us this year on Monday, August 31 by registering at saratogabridges.org. Come meet me and the rest of my crew for a fun-filled day while raising vital funds for this wonderful organization!