DEATH / LODGE NOTICES FITZGERALD, Brian Weir
Brian Weir Fitzgerald passed away on January 8, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida, surrounded by his loving family. He fought a courageous battle against Early Onset Alzheimer’s and its attendant complications with grace and the noblest of spirit. He died as he lived, a model of courage and strength, never losing his trademark sense of humor. Our beloved Brian fought the good fight.
Brian was born on November 1, 1954 in Baltimore, Maryland to William Thomas and Nita Lussier Fitzgerald. His early years were spent adventuring with family, friends, and dogs in Catonsville, Maryland and on his grandparent’s dairy farm in Westminster, Maryland. Brian attended Gilman School in Baltimore for many years where he made lifelong friends, including John Bosley (JB) Secor who taught him to gallop racehorses.
During his years at Gilman, he also developed a love for lacrosse and wrestling. Brian graduated from Paul Schulte High School in Terre Haute, Indiana, where his competitive spirit and strong work ethic led him to become a champion wrestler. Brian graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business as a member of the Class of 1977, which he often credited as one of the best decisions of his life. While at IU, Brian became an avid cyclist, competing in the Little 500 with 25,000 fans cheering him on in the largest collegiate bike race in the country.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Brian attended Antioch Law School in Washington, D.C. where he interned with Indiana Senator Birch Bayh, gaining valuable legislative skills. After graduating from Antioch, he joined the Washington-based law firm of Swidler and Berlin, which later became Bingham McCutchen, and eventually became a partner at the firm specializing in tax legislation. Brian was also a member of The Metropolitan Club, where he always looked forward to Friday lunches with dear friends.
It was during his early years in Washington that he met and later married his wife of twenty-three years, Caroline Davis of Jacksonville, Florida. Together they spent endless weekends fox hunting with the Blue Ridge, Thornton Hill, Piedmont, Rappahannock, and Warrenton Hunts in the mountains of Virginia. With a need for speed and adventure, Brian then began an amateur steeplechase racing career, competing for years in the Virginia Point to Point racing series on his tried and true Thoroughbreds, Dr. Brice, Native Ambition, and Diamond Gold. After moving to their treasured farm, Oakstream, in Middleburg, Virginia, Brian and Caroline welcomed two beautiful children into their lives, William Darius and Elizabeth Lussier. Nothing brought Brian more happiness in the world than spending time with his children. Whether that be galloping wildly past them on their ponies in the hunt field, laughing all the while or racing them down a mogul-filled ski mountain, William and Elizabeth’s arrival forever transformed his world from black and white to Technicolor.
After suffering from mild memory loss, Brian was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in 2018 and moved to Oregon for several years to be closer to his devoted sister and brother-in-law, Diane and David Painter. Still, it was Brian’s last wish to be closer to his children in Jacksonville, Florida. It was there he would spend his final years, playing golf and eating ice cream with his loyal friend, Dennis Sheils. Even in the darkest depths of his illness, Brian’s love of life and contagious laughter continued to touch all those around him. As his dear friend Rob Banner so eloquently penned: staunchly loyal, outstanding character, fearless disposition, thoughtful and wise, funny and fun, and so much more. Brian Fitzgerald had the heart of a lion and will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
Brian is survived by his children, William Darius and Elizabeth Lussier Fitzgerald; his sister, Diane Fitzgerald Painter (David); his brother, William Thomas Fitzgerald Jr. (Michelle); his former wife, Caroline Davis Fitzgerald; his aunt, Suzanne Jones; his nieces, Siobhan Fitzgerald, Ginger Sidey, and Wisteria Stuart; his cousins, Tamie Maier, David and Debbie Taylor, Marie Schaeffer, and Albert Strong. A portion of Brian’s ashes will be interred in Westminster Cemetery together with his parents and maternal grandparents. The remainder will be spread on his favorite hilltop in Rappahannock County with a spectacular view of his beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Church in Middleburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a random act of kindness and generosity in Brian’s honor.