Jim Fitzpatrick, 73, of Wesley Chapel, died on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills, FL. After having fought a tough battle for the past sixteen months, Jim is home with his Lord and Savior. He was born in Columbus, OH and moved to Pinellas County in the 1950’s from Chicago, IL. He was a graduate of Boca Ciega High School in St. Petersburg, FL.
Jim was veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Cold War era. He was trained to be a Russian language specialist. During his lifetime he was a salesman in a variety of industries and was a chef.
Jim was a long-time member at Clearwater First Assembly of God Church. He was a Sunday School teacher, choir member, actor, playwright and helped to mentor the youth involved in the Fine Arts program. One of Jim’s passions was cooking and he spent the last twenty years of his life as a chef. He owned Angel Food Catering. He also served many meals to the members of Clearwater First Assembly, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and Calvary Baptist Church. He was an avid fan of the University of Miami Hurricanes football program.
His parents, Harry and Margaret Fitzpatrick preceded him in death. His wife of 27 years, Patty; sons, James A. of Seminole, FL, Anthony G. of Houston, TX, and Christopher M. of Clearwater, FL; daughter, Marlaine Graham of Seminole, FL; stepson, Jimmy Cox of Indianapolis, IN; step-daughter, Denise Phillippi of Wesley Chapel, FL; and thirteen grandchildren survive him.
Jim's outgoing personality drew others to him. His robust laugh and gentle hugs were a natural part of the persona that made up a man who was large in stature but gentle in spirit. His love of God was displayed by his in-depth study and teaching of the Bible, his singing and writing about the One he so faithfully served.
A Visitation (10AM) and Memorial Service (11AM) have been scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2012. They will be held at Clearwater First Assembly of God Church, 1739 South Martin Luther King Boulevard, Clearwater, FL, 33756.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jim’s name to the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care, 5760 Dean Dairy Road, Zephyrhills, FL, 33542.
You made it my great friend, my fellow thespian and most importantly my brother in the Lord whom I looked up to and was a tremedous encouragement in my life. I loved you much and I miss you already, but now you are healed and before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No better place to be!
Love Timothy
What a wonderful man Jim was. Bob & I have many wonderful memories. God bless and keep you Patty.
Kay&Bob
Patty, please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim was a special man and will always hold a place in our hearts and in our family. Love to you always.
Karl, Debbie, Erik and Steven
Patty, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Seems like just yesterday you and Jim were starting your life together. Gigi
Pat, I am sorry – May Our Lord Jesus Christ Bless You Now & Always – Love, Gail
It was back in 1967, when I met Jim Fitzpatrick who was at that time the manager of AAMCO Transmissions.
He hired me as a sales representative of the company and I must admit that I couldn’t sell a cross in a Catholic Church. Regardless, he gave me a chance and hired me. We had lots of fun as our friendship grew, and as time passed on, there were more employment opportunities that eventually came my way. We loved to smoke cigars and eat sandwiches that we ate at the shop. Jim could build a sandwich that would “knock your socks off.”
The AAMCO Transmission shop was located around 46 Ave, N., on 34 St. N. in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jim was a friendly mentor, providing advice and direction whenever the opportunity presented itself. It wasn’t long before I had a chance to take some time off from the transmission business and reported to Jump School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. It was an opportunity that I needed to pursue my career in the Army Reserves.
Since I had already served 3 years in Germany with the 4th Armored Division, it seemed at the time an honorable thing to do to promote my advances with the Army.
Jim was gracious to release me from my civilian duties to continue my military career. Upon completion of Parachute School, Jim took me back and kept me as a company representative until GTE hired me. By that time, the Vietnam conflict was coming to a close and it appeared that military personnel were not in demand, regardless of their qualifications.
I read about Jim’s passing this morning in the newspaper and as I read the obituary, I seem to remember my ol’ friend from 1967. It truly saddens me that Jim has passed on and I fondly remember this kind and gentle man that gave a skinny, highly motivated 24 year old dude a job when he needed it most.
As I recall, Jim was originally Catholic and he got me into the Catholic organization of the Knights of Columbus to which I still belong.
As time went on, Jim was divorced from his first wife and I left my position with AMMCO Transmissions, for a job opportunity for GTE. That was, as I thought, would be the last time I would ever see Jim Fitzpatrick again… However, it was not…
We met again seven or eight years later at the old Pizza Hut located on Missouri Avenue in Clearwater. At the time, I was volunteer Police Officer for the City of Clearwater and stopped in for a late night snack after completing an 8 hour shift to share with my wife at home. It had been a long time since I saw him. We recognized each other immediately and we talked briefly and exchanged dialog on our past memories. That was the last time I saw Jim and I have often thought of that time in Pizza Hut and our past relationship.
I hope I have the right man. Jim loved music and could sing like an angel. He was an Air Force Veteran and loved God with a passion. Also, he was a fabulous cook. One night at AMMCO Transmission he cooked up a fabulous seafood dinner and all of the Service Stations Managers that we worked with were invited. What a turnout we had. Not only were the many attendees present and listened intently to Jim’ presentation as he promoted AAAMCO Transmissions but were then treated to a great meal.
I will miss Jim and forever keep him in my prayers.
God Bless you Jim,…my old friend,
Love,
John
I miss you dad. I miss hearing your voice.
I know you’re with God now…but I miss you, terribly.
My heartache and memories completely overwhelm all of my common sense and ability to accept that you are not here.
I love you…and in God’s time…I look forward to spending eternity with you.
Patty you are in our prayers daily. I remember so well the early days of our relationship with you and Jim. It will be grand when we all are together again and for all eternity. Can’t wait to hear Jim sing once again.
With our love,
Dan & Arlene
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. We will meet again!
Jimmy, Tony and the Fitzpatrick Family.
My prayers are with you and your family. I thank your dad for being a Veteran and serving our country. It was just 9 months ago that I lost my father but I know he is in heaven. A birth certificate shows when a person is born, a death certificate show when they died but pictures showed that they lived. Your dad lived.
How bittersweet it is to write these words — while we picture Jim with Jesus right now, a smile comes, but when we think about what we will miss — a newspaper waiting on the seat at Largo Family Restaurant, a great sarcastic exchange between two great friends, a sometimes unspoken but always evident love for the Lord that has been an example that can’t be compared, and just that great personality and laugh — we are sad here on earth but rejoice that our friend Jim is now where we all look so forward to going some day. And we know we will see him again. Not in a cliche kind of way, but we KNOW we will see him again, and soon, and we will enjoy our Savior together. In the meantime, we love you Patty and pray that you and the rest of the family are comforted by knowing where Jim is, that he suffers no more, and that so many people love him and you. God was very good to us the day he brought you into our lives. We are grateful for your season at Calvary Chapel St. Pete!!! Hugs from Gary and Amy…
How blessed we were to know our dear friend and brother Jim. Remembering his singing and laughter at our Life Group meetings always brings smiles to our faces. He was a special man who was in love with the Lord, in love with his precious wife, and lived his life loving others. What a wonderful example he was for all of us and we deeply miss his presence here but we look forward to seeing him again one day soon….on that beautiful shore! Our prayers are with you dear sister. Love, Lana and Ray
Patty and the Fitzpatrick family,
I heard the news this morning of Jim’s passing. Memories flooded my mind as I think about the years that I have been blessed to call you friend. Jim was not only a brother in Christ, but a friend, teacher, prayer warrior and mentor. I will miss his laughter, jokes and voice. But know that I will see him again in glory. I am praying for you. Jim is whole, healthy and dancing on the streets of gold. No more cancer, no more pain.. just in the presence of His Lord. For this I am thankful. Jim, thank you for the wisdom you taught me. You will never be forgotten! Love Leslie
Charlie and I have such great memories of Jim. He was truly a great man. May God comfort you and the family, Patty. Our love to you.
I grew up knowing this man to be a strong and loving man. I grew up with his daughter Marlie and remember him as the man that always came in Marlie’s room and said “Quite down girls God can hear you from all the way down here!” (LOL). I feel the pain that my long time friend feels and ask her father to send her the comfort she needs to get thru the loss of her father. The twins will always remember this man for the love and joy his smile brought to the world. God bless you all and know we will always see him again in God’s kingdom. Fonda and Rhonda (twins).
May God bring comfort and peace to the family at this time as you celebrate Jim’s Homegoing.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of this beautiful spirit. We have such fond memories of his laugh, his gentle hugs, his rich voice, particularly when he sang, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” and when he taught incredible Sunday School lessons for the adults. He was a blessing to us and countless others. We have thought of him and Patty so very often over the years we’ve been away…wonderful, blessed memories. Love and prayers to Patty and the family.
Jimmy,Tony,Chris and Marlie,
I’m so sorry to hear about your father. I remember what a smooth dancer he was! He would just float on that floor. Know that he’ll always be with you. You are all in my prayers.
Love,
Cousin Irene
Pat, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I wish you strength and peace in the days ahead. Joan
So sad to know that over the many years that I tried to find my friend and brother in Christ that he actually had moved and live so close to me. Will be reunited in Heaven but I could have used more of your friendship right now.