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GERALD JR. Was born July 2, 1939 in Houston, TX to Gerald and Elizabeth "Betty" (Eyler) Fitz-Gerald, who raised their only son in Midland, TX. He died peacefully at home of natural causes on July 9, 2011, surrounded by family and friends, in Albuquerque, NM, following an eight-month battle with cancer. An accomplished artist who worked in numerous mediums, primarily watercolor in his early painting periods and most notably monotypes later in his career, Gerald's still-life subjects and Southwestern landscape paintings were hailed as "hauntingly sensual" by The Albuquerque Journal circa 2002. Gerald printed with close friends at New Grounds Workshop in Albuquerque and served on various art acquisition committees and in donation capacities for the Albuquerque Museum. Gerald was also proud of his tenure as the President of the Albuquerque Museum Foundation in the 1990s. Gerald grew up in Midland, TX, attending St. Edward's High School in Austin before attending Rockhurst College in Kansas City. Gerald returned to Austin to earn a B.A. in English from the University of Texas, where he was an active member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Following one year in pursuit of a law degree at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Gerald moved to Albuquerque in 1963. The New Mexican city is where "Gerry" met his future wife, Dorothy Ann Burke, and established his life as a trust officer for Albuquerque National Bank, his employer for nearly 35 years under numerous banners, including SunWest, Boatmen's, and eventually Bank of America. He is survived by his son, Gerald III ("Trey") and daughter-in-law Rachel, residents of Salt Lake City; daughter, Erin Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Catherine Ann, of Albuquerque; and innumerable friends. Gerald was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Dorothy, in October 2007. Rosary will be recited on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at French-University Chapel. Memorial services will be held Friday, July 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 619 Copper Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Allison, Pat & Nannette Hurley, Jack & Kathleen Oestreicher, Roy Farmer, Susannah Lunenfeld and Sevie Taylor. In lieu of flowers or gift, the family requests that donations be made in memoriam of Gerald Fitz-Gerald, Jr. to: The Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd, Albuquerque, NM 87194. Please visit our online guestbook for Gerald at www.remembertheirstory.com French 1111 University Blvd NE (505)843-6333
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