Fitzpatrick, Eugene
DELMAR — Eugene Fitzpatrick, of Delmar, N.Y., passed away peacefully at home, on January 9, 2024, with family by his side. He was 91 years old. Gene was born in Syracuse, N.Y., on December 28, 1932.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances (Marion) Fitzpatrick, as well as his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Gene and Fran were married in Cazenovia, N.Y., while he was on leave from the U.S. Navy, in which he proudly served during the Korean War. He attended college at SUNY Cortland where he received his Bachelor Degree in Education. While at Cortland, he was a starting player on the lacrosse and football teams and as Quarterback, in 1959, he scored a touchdown and led the Cortland Red Dragons to victory in the first ever Cortaca Jug game against Ithaca College. He received his Masters in Guidance at SUNY Albany.
Gene worked in the Bethlehem Central School District for over 32 years as a physical education teacher, coach and guidance counselor during which he taught, coached, mentored, and advised countless students. One of the highlights of his coaching career was coaching the Bethlehem Eagles wrestling team to the 1972-73 Suburban Council Wrestling Tournament and regular season championships. After retiring from BCHS he continued his love of sports through officiating at both the high school and college levels. He was a lifetime member of the Capital District Chapter NYS Football Official Association. In 1993 he received the Merit Award from the New York State Association of Certified Football Officials. In 2005, he received the J. Hal Witner Lifetime Achievement Award from the Capital District Football Association. In 2012, he was initiated into the National College Football Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Official Award winner.
Gene spent some of his happiest moments with his family and friends at the ocean or the lake. He loved swimming, body surfing, water skiing or just bathing in the sun. Teaching his family and friends to waterski at Schroon Lake brought lots of smiles and laughter to his life.
Friends and relatives are invited to gather to celebrate Gene’s life on Saturday, January 20, 2024, between 4 and 7 p.m., with words of rememberance at 5:00 p.m., at the Blanchard Currey American Legion Post 1040, located at 16 West Poplar Drive, Delmar, in which he was a member.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either Veterans in Community Housing Coalition (provides transitional housing to homeless veterans) www.vchcny.org or Operation at Ease (pairs shelter dogs with deserving veterans) www.operationatease.org