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Reverend Father John Watson Fitzgerald Jr., a priest of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, passed to his eternal reward Sunday, March 23, 2003. Fr. Fitzgerald was the son of John Watson Fitzgerald Sr. and Mary Catherine McMahon. He was born May 31, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan. He is survived by a sister, Mary Ann Schneeberger of Rockford, Illinois; a brother, Robert (Mac) Fitzgerald of Detroit, Michigan; three nieces; four nephews; and also a longtime friend and nurse, Cecile Powell. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended Marquette University High School. After high school, he attended Maryknoll Apostolic College in Pennsylvania. He then entered the University of Arizona in Tucson. In June of 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He served in the European, African and Middle East theaters. After his Honorable Discharge from the service in March of 1946, he started his studies for the priesthood. He entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe. He continued his major seminary studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado. He received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from St. Thomas Seminary. He was ordained May 23, 1953 by Archbishop Edwin Vincent Byrne in St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His first Solemn High Mass was celebrated on his 32nd birthday, May 31, 1953 in St. Roberts Church in Shorewood, Wisconsin. Father's first assignment was to return as an English teacher at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe. Later, he was assigned as one of the founding faculty of St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque. After teaching, he was assigned to be the first and founding pastor of Holy Child Parish in Tijeras. Father later served for 15 years as the Archdiocesan Director of Propagation of Faith. Father also served in several other parochial assignments. Father's last assignment was as a hospital chaplain in Albuquerque, which ministry he continued long into his retirement. Vigil and Rosary will be celebrated Thursday, March 27th at Queen of Heaven Parish at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, March 28th, at 10:00 a.m., Queen of Heaven Parish, 5311 Phoenix Ave. NE. Arrangements by Salazar & Sons Mortuary, 400 Third St. SW.
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