In loving memory of

Daniel A. Fitzgerald, Jr.
October 6, 1929 - November 2, 2020

Daniel Andrew Fitzgerald, Jr, age 91, died Monday, November 2, 2020, at his home in Ambler.

Born in Danbury, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Daniel and Kathleen (nee Coyle) Fitzgerald.

Dan graduated from New Britain State Teacher's College and went on to receive a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Missouri. In 1952 he was drafted and served in the US Army during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he began his teaching career that would span 40 years, as a Teacher, Principal and Administrator at both Ambler Junior High School and Cheltenham School District.

After retiring, Dan focused his life on helping others, committing to make a difference. He volunteered at Project HOME, a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. He helped younger students at St. Mary's Home, Fort Washington and Mattison Avenue. He also volunteered at Meals on Wheels and with the Wissahickon Hospice in Chestnut Hill. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Ambler.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Jean and is the devoted father of Kathleen E. FitzJefferies (Donnell) of Lexington, NC, Tracy A. DiBiase (Vincent) of Denver, CO, Dana F. Nicolai (Louis) of Blue Bell, Daniel A. Fitzgerald III (Kelly) of Ambler, Maura D. Fitzgerald of S. Burlington, VT and Kevin A. Fitzgerald (Diane) of Worcester. Dan is the loving grandfather of Vincent D. DiBiase, Jacob Stinger, Jacklyn DiBiase, Timothy DiBiase, Gabriella Nicolai, Daniel A. Fitzgerald IV, Erin Fitzgerald, Nicole DiBiase, Rachel Nicolai, Ava Grace Fitzgerald, Katelyn Fitzgerald and Jack Fitzgerald.

Relatives and friends may call Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 9:30 to 10:45 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Ave., Ambler,. Words of Remembrance will be at 10:45 AM, and the Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM with Msgr. Stephen P. McHenry, Pastor as celebrant. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ambler. Livestream of the Funeral Mass is available at 10:45 AM at this link: https://livestream.com/saintanthonyparish/events/9388310

The Fitzgerald family would appreciate memorial donations in his name to Project HOME, Development Dept., 1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Check MEMO; ST COLUMBA https://www.projecthome.org/donate

Photos and tributes may be shared at www.UrbanFuneralHome.com

Tributes

Bill Stull wrote on Nov 10, 2020:

"To the Fitzgerald Family: Your Father and Grandfather were a great gift in my life. I have many memories how he helped me as a classroom teacher at Ambler Jr. High. We disagreed on politics but not on our Faith. His friendship was a gift that keeps on giving. May the memories of his gracious life comfort you at this time. --Bill Stull "

Kathy Johnson wrote on Nov 9, 2020:

"To the Fitzgerald Family, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Fitzgerald. What a very special person he was! I was one of the Mattison Avenue teachers who had the pleasure of working with Mr. Fitzgerald. He always arrived with a smile ready to do whatever he could to help the children, and the teachers! Not only did he volunteer in the classroom, he also took part in our mentoring program sharing his time after school. He wrote letters to the staff and gave us all pep talks to remind us of how important our work was. I still have the letter he wrote for me! Fast forward a few years, when I moved to Lower Gwynedd, I got to connect with Mr. Fitzgerald once again through his granddaughter, Kaitlyn, who was in my class. Mr. Fitzgerald led by example, and we are blessed that he touched our lives! Hope his smile and the happy memories that you have will help you all through."

Sally Matthews wrote on Nov 6, 2020:

"My condolences to the whole Fitzgerald family. Dan was a good friend for many years while I lived in Haywood Park. He did double duty as long time St Anthony friend. I would like you to realize how blessed you are to have the love and guidance of a Dad and Grandfather who was so special! I'm grateful that you will be live streaming His Mass. Be assured of my prayers for him and for the whole family as you adjust to his lossl "

Mark Foley wrote on Nov 6, 2020:

"I was hired right out of college in 1965 to teach English at Ambler Junior High School. Dan was the principal and the one who interviewed me. My memory of that day is vivid. ?Well, Mr. Foley, I think you would make for a wonderful teacher at our school, but do you know anything about soccer?? And so it went. I spent 37 years in the Wissahickon School District and 20 of them coaching soccer at AJH and WMS. Dan was my first principal, my coach and my mentor. My years with Dan before he moved on to Cheltenham were among the most pleasurable because of him. He knew how to lead, whether it be the seasoned ones such as McAleer, Hastings, Lewis, Zeager, Clarke, Mahoney, or the less seasoned Colflesh, Connor, Coady, Hicks, and of course me. His laugh was infectious, his Wednesday after-school Koffee Klatch arguments persuasive, his leadership and support unyielding. I missed him when he left Wissahickon and I will always remember him now in my prayers. God bless DanFitzgerald."

Emilie Pesta wrote on Nov 5, 2020:

"Dana your father sounded like he was a wonderful man . I?m so sorry for your loss .May he Rest In Peace ?"

Carolyn Stowe Shaner wrote on Nov 4, 2020:

"Dan was a wonderful man who loved people. As students at Ambler Junior High, we truly respected him as our principal. His ability to see humor in every situation was a perfect way to diffuse tension in the room and his hearty, easy laugh was always a welcome sound! Dan was loyal to his friends all through his life and he showed genuine compassion for anyone in need. His devotion to Jean and his family was always obvious. I feel so fortunate to have known him most of my life. Condolences to the entire Firzgerald family and thanks for sharing Dan with all of us. He was a bright star who will be missed. Sending sympathy and love to you all. Carolyn Stowe Shaner"