With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Garry Fitzpatrick, MD, aged 84, peacefully and surrounded by family and friends. Garry leaves his beloved wife of 59 years, Tanya (née Baird); his children, Jennifer (Jacques Michaud), Andrea, Jamie (Katie) and Marcia (Rick Berger); his grandchildren Alexandre (Emily Meyer), Claire and Madeleine Michaud; Henry, Oliver and Eliza Fitzpatrick; and Thomas, Wesley and Ryan Berger. He was predeceased by his parents, Francis Michael ("Manny") and Dorothy (née Smith) Fitzpatrick and twin sisters, Jill Bergh and Judy Redstone. He leaves his niece Taryn Risto and family, his nephews Scott Redstone and Trevor Bergh and their families, his many cousins, and his lifelong friend Kevin Danaher and family.
Garry grew up in Montreal and in the Laurentians and attended Loyola High School, then Loyola College, graduating in 1961. He was an avid downhill skier, swimmer, hockey and football player, capturing the city-wide football championship title in 1957. He studied medicine at McGill University and graduated in 1965 as class president. His happy youth was marred only by the sudden loss of both parents in the Trans-Canada Air Lines flight 831 crash of November 29, 1963 in Ste-Thérèse, Quebec.
Garry married Tanya in 1965 and joined the team of C.A.R.E.-Medico, assigned to postwar Algeria, followed by Malaysia. They returned to Montreal in 1967, where Garry completed his residency in surgery. Relocating to Belmont, Massachusetts in 1970, and following a fellowship at the University of Mass. in Worcester, Garry established his career as an academic general surgeon specializing in trauma and nutrition at Boston University Hospital and Boston City Hospital (now Boston Medical Center). He finished out his career working at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.
"Fitz" was known as a clinical teacher who was kind, patient and respectful of all. He was passionate about his work and devoted long hours to the care of those who were often marginalized and without health insurance. Selfless and compassionate, he embodied these values in raising his 4 children with Tanya in Belmont as a member of St. Joseph's Parish.
Garry had a rich cultural life as well. His passion for classical music and the opera infused his every evening. He enjoyed spending holiday and leisure time in the Eastern Townships of Quebec on Lac Massawippi, traveling with Tanya to various corners of Europe, and visiting his children and grandchildren in both the United States and Canada. Tanya's career led them to discover Phoenix, Arizona, and retirement included time in both Montreal and Green Valley, reading on a wide variety of subjects, hiking and walking (earning a seniors' hiking enthusiast award in Green Valley), and following French language and history classes at Concordia University.
"Pops" delighted not only in showing his grandchildren special places around Lac Massawippi and Arizona, attending their sporting events, and taking them for ice cream at Castle Island, South Boston, but also in sharing the ordinary moments in the lives of his children and grandchildren that make up the fabric of a life richly lived. Although Garry's final years were challenged by dementia, he will be remembered for his selfless, gentle, patient and generous spirit and his devotion to family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
Visitation from 5-7 pm Fri. Dec. 13 at Kane Fetterly in Montreal. Funeral Sat. Dec. 14 at 12 pm at Ascension Church in Westmount, followed by reception at Kane Fetterly at 2 pm. All are welcome.