It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John “Jack” Fitzpatrick, age 90. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 11, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.

A true Irishman, Jack will be remembered for his story telling, booming voice, radiant smile, and twinkle in his eyes. His joy of life and wacky sense of humor are unforgettable. Jack’s family and friends found warmth, wisdom and laughter in his stories and fun times being with him. He was known as “Fitz” to his friends and colleagues. His mentoring and life lessons were invaluable.

Jack was born on December 12, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. Humble beginnings, his Mom’s never ending love and the Brooklyn Dodgers were his roots. He earned a merit scholarship to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, an esteemed college prep, Roman Catholic High School in Brooklyn. When his stepfather was re-stationed as a Sergeant in the Army, Jack finished High School in Germany and graduated from Frankfurt High School in 1953. He served in the United States Army Intelligence for 3 years. He attended La Salle College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jack started a career in sales in 1957, selling encyclopedias door to door, practicing his pitch in his car as a young adult. He excelled in sales and became a successful VP of Sales & Marketing for a few different firms. He worked in security for Johnson Matthey for many years and retired in 2020.

For fun, Jack played baseball in the 1960’s for “The Suburban All-Stars” in southern New Jersey. He was an All-Star centerfielder and pitcher, known for his high leg kick and fastball. Several of his team-mates marveled saying “Jack could throw a baseball through a car wash without getting it wet”. An avid sports fan, Jack would put a basketball in his car on sales trips and find local basketball courts in town for a pick up game. He was a rough, scrappy player who made friends through games every where he traveled. Later in life when he played against his kids high school friends, they would say “Wow, your old man can play”. He coached his daughters’ winning soccer team, a definite high light and bonding experience for him and his girls.

In 1957 Jack met the love of his life, his “Dream Girl”, Judy Wood at a Dairy Queen in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He was a great date throughout their relationship. They married in 1961 and celebrated 64 years of a wonderful marriage. A true love story, Judy was his princess. Jack called her “Sweets” and often said he was the luckiest man in the world. He took her to the finest restaurants, showered her with flowers, gifts, cards, love letters and countless adventures. Jack and Judy traveled all over the world. Some of their favorites were; Austria, windmills & tulips in the Netherlands, Wyoming and Jamaica, Jack could always be seen with a camera strapped around his neck, creating a visual storybook, preserving their memories. From 1963-1968, Jack and Judy had 4 beautiful children, whose lives captured their hearts. Family dinners, trips, movies, sporting events, animals and the great outdoors brought about special times together. Treasured memories of laughter and excitement. “A childhood that rocked”, according to one of his grandsons hearing the stories. And it did rock. A big kid himself, Jack is known as “Pop Pops” to his 9 grandchildren. He adored his grandkids. Pillow fights, hide & seek, splashing in the pool were reoccurring themes when they were together. He always showed up to support their games, plays, concerts and events. He was so proud of them and never missed an opportunity to tell them how much he loved them. A bit of a contradiction, Jack was called “the Safety King”, when it came to his kids and grandkids, always looking out for their well being,

Jack was a thrill seeker choosing the roller coaster every time. He climbed Mount Rainier in Washington, scuba dived in the Caribbean, hiked through the Smoky Mountains, rode the bob sled in Lake Placid and refereed men’s lacrosse and men’s soccer into his 80’s. Jack lived his life like a championship game, he played hard and left everything on the field. He loved reading the New York Times, The New Yorker, and was constantly reading books. A testament to his life long pursuit of knowledge. Jack was a generous man with his time and heart. He would always be the first person to pick up the tab at a restaurant, plan a surprise party for you, or invite you to a concert or music festival. Life was a party and he could not imagine it without music. Jack had an eclectic taste in music from Louis Armstrong (he and his wife saw him live, play his last show), to 70’s Artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Neil Diamond. He also enjoyed classical music, symphonies, blues festivals. Sign him up, he was there bringing you along to jam on out. Jack’s faith and Catholicism awarded him a grateful life and he believed in going to church, at the very least, to say thank you to God for everyday is a gift. His mission was to serve, help and give back to those in need. He volunteered at a homeless shelter and he and his wife took in inner city kids for two weeks in the summer treating everyone as part of the family.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Judy (Wood); his children, Kathleen Cardelia, Kelly Hubbard (Tim), Kevin Fitzpatrick (Nilda); his grandchildren; Bryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Fitzpatrick, Nicholas Cardelia, Christopher Cardelia, Quinn Hubbard, Colin Fitzpatrick, Lilia Fitzpatrick, Myles Fitzpatrick, Maiya Fitzpatrick; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Marion (Vollet) Bluemke, his stepfather, Peter J. Bluemke, his uncle, Charles Vollet, his stepbrother, Robert W. Bluemke, his son, Jeffrey Fitzpatrick

Jack will forever echo in our hearts, reminding us to cherish each moment and hold tight to the bonds of family. He will be greatly missed, always remembered with stories of laughter and good times and his legacy will live on in his children and grandchildren. Good stuff.

Services will be held on Monday January, 26, 2026 at Saint Joseph Parish, 338 Manor Ave. Downingtown, PA 19335. Visitation with family will take place from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, immediately followed by his Funeral Mass at 11am.

In Lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter for Homeless Families. To make a donation please click HERE.