Obituary of PATRICK JAMES FITZPATRICK

PATRICK JAMES FITZPATRICK We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather on January 4, 2015. With his loving wife Helen by his side, Pat peacefully left us. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick on September 6, 1932 to John and Kathleen (Flood) Fitzpatrick, Dad was predeceased by his parents, brother Donald, sisters Anne-Marie, Aileen, Kathleen and Christine; in-laws Harry and Rose Woligrocki, and brothers-in-law Donald and Fred. He is survived by his wife Helen, children Kelley, Kevin and Noreen (Michael), his beloved grandsons Shawn, Ryley and Steven, his brothers Brian (Mary), Frank (Mary), sister-in-law Anne-Marie, brothers-in-law Rudy (Frances), Louis (Pat), Malcolm (Sandy) and his many nieces and nephews. Family was very important to Dad. He had a special bond with his oldest grandson Shawn who always made him smile. A day rarely went by that Shawn did not visit him at his care home. Dad was transferred to Winnipeg in June 1954 by the Bank of Canada, where he met Mom, and they were married in September 1955. Soon after he joined Imperial Oil Ltd, and finished his career as a Shell Oil service station lessee. In 1963, Mom and Dad built their home in Bird’s Hill, where they would reside for 48 years and raise their family. Dad’s love of animals led him to purchase his first Labrador Retriever in 1958. He became interested in training his dogs, and for 50 years competed in field trials all over North America. The highlight was winning the Canadian National Amateur Championship with his dog, Gunstocks Caramel Crunch. For over 25 years Dad and Mom spent their winters in Florida and Georgia, where Dad enjoyed training his dogs. They were lucky enough to stay and train with their good friends Charles and Yvonne Hays. Dad was both President and a Director of the National Retriever Club of Canada; an Executive member (17 times) of the Manitoba Gun Dog Association and President of the Delta Marsh Retriever Club. This hobby was Dad’s passion and one in which he worked tirelessly. The past 2 ½ years have been difficult as Dad fought his battle with Alzheimer’s. Mom was so proud of her children and grandchildren as they rallied to help Dad with his meals and visits. The family would like to thank the 3rd floor staff of Concordia Place for their wonderful care and compassion, as well as all of Dad’s friends who visited. Cremation has taken place and the Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 at Holy Redeemer Parish on Donwood Drive, with further notice closer to the date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba (120 Donald Street) or a charity of choice. “The moment that you died my heart was torn in two, one side filled with heartache, the other died with you. I often lie awake at night, when the world is fast asleep, and take a walk down memory lane, with tears upon my cheeks. Remembering you is easy I do it every day, but missing you is heartache that never goes away. I hold you tightly within my heart and there you will remain until the joyous day arrives that we will meet again”