John Thomas Fitzgerald Jr.

Dateline: Alton John Thomas Fitzgerald, Jr., 81, passed away on December 17, 2023 surrounded by family. John was born August 10, 1942, in Alton, IL, to John T. and Helen (Schulz) Fitzgerald. He was the oldest of six siblings. A graduate of Marquette High School, he lived most of his life in his cherished hometown. He married the love of his life, Karen Ursch, on February 19, 1966, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. John attended Ranken Technical College in St. Louis before embarking on a 50-year career as an electrician. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 649. He also taught the IBEW union apprentice program at Lewis and Clark Community College. One of his favorite pastimes was “rewiring the Greenwood Club” every year, a barbeque with his students at the end of the semester. After retirement, he worked as an electric inspector for the city of Alton, where he often fixed the problem rather than failing the inspection. In his spare time, he served as an usher at St. Mary’s, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and beautified flower planters around Upper Alton every spring and summer. Those who knew John know he was the ultimate tinkerer. There was nothing in the house he couldn’t take apart and put back together, and he delighted in fixing things, whether at home, work, or any place he went. He also instilled several truisms in his children: St. Patrick’s Day is a holy day in the house. Any summer day not spent by the backyard pool is a wasted one. You’ll never find a better donut than at Duke’s. And above all, family is the most important thing in the world. John is survived by his devoted wife, Karen; his five children, Pat (Jamie) Fitzgerald, Jeanne MacAinsh (Steve Koopman), Tom (Kristine) Fitzgerald, Mike (Julie) Fitzgerald, and David (Emmet) Fitzgerald-Sullivan; his nine grandchildren, Ryan and Erin Fitzgerald, Matthew, Brendan, and Jacob MacAinsh, Drew and Maggie Fitzgerald, and Emily and Zach Fitzgerald; three step-grandchildren, Megan (Blake) Roberts, Maddie Blair, and Meredith Blair; and three siblings and their spouses, Patricia and Jacques Schwaab of Godfrey, William and Linda Fitzgerald of Godfrey, and Daniel and Nonie Fitzgerald of Alton. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother Thomas, his sister Virginia, and his brother-in-law, Richard Stillwell. The family is thankful for the caregivers who helped John toward the end of his life, most of all Melanie Stockton, and the continued love and support from John’s best friend, Bill Gottlob. Every Christmas, his children always asked John what he wanted, and every year it was the same: “Peace and quiet. And five healthy kids.” We are grateful that he has found peace now. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Alton. Memorials may be made to Helping Hands or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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John Thomas Fitzgerald Jr.

August 10, 1942 - December 17, 2023