Dr. James P. Fitzgerald

Dr. James P. Fitzgerald, 86, physician, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and servant of God died surrounded by his family on the evening of August 8th at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier, the hospital he humbly served since 1959.



Dr. Fitzgerald was born in Boone, Iowa on May 9, 1928 to Marie and John Fitzgerald. As a boy he attended Sacred Heart Elementary and later graduated from Boone High School. Jims first leadership role in life was that of big brother to his beloved sisters, Patricia and Sister Joan Fitzgerald. He graduated from Creighton University in Omaha where he received his Medical Doctorate in 1953. Following graduation, Dr. Jim served his country in the Unites States Air Force until 1955. One year later he relocated to Whittier and started private practice with his first medical partners, doctors Joe Ahlering and James Harris.



Through and through Dr. Fitzgerald was a servant of his community, delivering hundreds of Whittier babies as a General Practitioner and treating countless cancer patients as a Radiation Oncologist. He served on and led several boards while at PIH Health including Chairman of PIHs General Practice Department. He was a charter member of the hospitals Tumor Board and served as Chairman of the Medicine Department, Chairman of the Medical Staff and Chairman of the Board of PIH Foundation where he led fundraising efforts and community outreach.



Jims most enduring and lasting legacy will be the lives he touched over the years not only as a physician but also as an active servant of his communities. He served faithfully as a Deacon at St. Marys Catholic Church and his current home parish of St. Agathas in Los Angeles. In 1987 he served as the Deacon for the liturgy with Pope John Paul II during Mass at Dodger Stadium. For Dr. Fitzgerald his faith in God and commitment to the commandment of service resonated in everything he did and every life he touched.



Last October, Dr. Fitzgerald and his wife Joyce celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. There was no greater source of pride and purpose in his life than his family. Father to ten, grandfather to fourteen and great-grandfather to nine, Dr. Fitzgerald found peace and solace in the presence of his family. Jim and Joyce played golf weekly with friends and spent most weekends with their children.



He was an astute and honest listener and a legendary storyteller. His wry and subtle humor was both folksy and nuanced. His priceless advice was simple yet thoughtful. Loyal and quietly proud, Dr. Fitzgerald was a faithful fan of Notre Dame as well as the many teams on which his children and grandchildren played over the years. He congratulated and consoled with the same elegance and warmth. It was often his simple wide smile that connected with people. Friends and patients alike often describe the honesty and sincerity of his eye contact that left them with a sense of calm and assurance no matter the circumstances of the day.



Dr. Fitzgeralds legacy and impact on the Whittier community is immeasurable and will certainly live on. While his family has lost its quiet and faithful leader, his living example of love, faith, compassion, grace and service of others and will undoubtedly endure.



In lieu of flowers please pledge support to PIH Health Foundation at www.pihhealth.org/support.



A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 15, 2014, 10am at St. Agatha Catholic Church, 2646 Mansfield , Los Angeles, California, 90016.



A hosted reception will follow the service at approximately 12:00pm at Friendly Hills Country Club at 8500 S. Villaverde Drive in Whittier.