Obituary of Joseph C. FitzGibbon

It is with great sadness that his family announces the death of Joe (Joseph C.) FitzGibbon peacefully at home in his sleep on Monday December 22, 2008. Joe is survived by his beloved wife Mady and his loving children Catharine and Kieran Sullivan (Strood, England), Michael and Valerie and their son Sean (Niagara Falls), David and Tish and their daughter Lesley (Belleville), Maureen and Justin Brooks and their children Tristan and Cassandra (Shipton u Wychwood, England), Mary Jo (St. Catharines) and Stephen and Loraine and their daughters Vanessa and Farrah (Toronto). He was predeceased in 1986 by his cherished wife Betty, the mother of his children. Joe was a life long resident of St. Catharines having been born on Chaplin Avenue on May 31, 1930. Joe enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the Fire Department of the City having joined the department in 1950 as a firefighter and finally being appointed Chief in 1971, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. He dedicated his career and worked tirelessly to improve fire services in the city and beyond. He worked with the Ontario Fire College, Ontario Fire Investigative Services, and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office as well as many national organizations. He implemented one of Canada's first Computer assisted Dispatching Systems and developed and introduced the first Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation Plans of Nursing homes in Canada. Joe was an accomplished musician playing both the trombone and 5 string bass. He first joined the Lincoln and Welland Regimental Band in 1944 and was its longest serving member. Over the years he played with many bands and cherished the comraderie and lifelong friendships. Joe is survived by his sister Mary (Jack) McKey and his brother Leo and brothers and sisters in law Dolores FitzGibbon, Marty Swick, Annabelle MacLachlan, Ruth and Eric Adamson, all of St. Catharines, Lois Mahaney (Ft Lauderdale), Gus and Marianne Feitzelmayer (Regina), and his mother in law Alice Pfeiffer. He was predeceased by his brother Vince (2005), sister Ina Marie (2003), and sister in law Frances (2005). Joe will be missed by his extended family and his many friends particularly Larry Tufford, and Carl and Nina Wagner who were unfailing in their support. On Joe's behalf we wish to thank Dr. Don McMillan, Dr. Sat Singh, Dr. S. Rammohan and Dr. Perry Mayer for their outstanding care, dedication and support. They gave Joe the courage and determination to overcome many challenges with humour. Special thanks to St. Elizabeth home care nurses Carol Foster, and Babes Morales, and Laurie Clement of CCAC. Their care and kindness were appreciated by Joe. In accordance with Joe's wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of Joe's life will be held in the new year and plans will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to On the Move Fund at the St. Catharines General Hospital , the Rett Syndrome Association of Eastern Ontario, or the charity of one's choice, would be appreciated. As Joe himself would have said "I always gave it my best, and put up a good fight."