LTJG Roger J. Fitzsimmons VP-4 1954 – 1957
Roger J. Fitzsimmons, 91, of Little Silver, NJ, died peacefully at his home on April 7th, 2023.
Roger graduated from Blessed Sacred Grammar School in East Orange, NJ, Seton Hall, Preparatory School in South Orange, and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana 1952. Following his graduation in 1952, Roger served as a pilot in the US Navy for four years.
In July of 1954, he married Patricia Riely, his college sweetheart, whom he lovingly referred to as “my bride” and best friend their entire marriage.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Roger and Pat settled in Livingston, NJ, where Roger started a career in banking, working the Trust Division at the Howard Savings Bank in Newark and the Union County Trust Company in Elizabeth. In 1966, he moved on to Monmouth County National Bank in Red Bank, now Wells Fargo, where he was Senior Vice President. That is when he and his family settled in Little Silver. While working, he continued his bank education. He graduated from Northwestern Trust School and Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University.
In 1982, he left banking and joined Merrill Lynch as an Account Executive in the Red Bank office until his retirement in 2000.
Roger was very active in many local groups. He was a long-time member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore. He was past president of the Red Bank Rotary, the Root Beer and Checker Club, and the Notre Dame Club of the Jersey Shore. He also served on the board of MCOSS, the Red Bank YMCA, and the Local Chamber of Commerce.
In 1982, the Notre Dame Club of the Jersey Shore selected Roger as its “Notre Dame Person of the Year.” Father Hesburgh, President of Notre Dame at the time, presented the award to him.
In his private life, he devoted many years to coaching Little League, Pony League, and CYO Basketball.
Roger has been an active Church of the Nativity member since 1966. He served as a Eucharistic Minister and Reader and was on the Finance Committee for five different pastors. He also volunteered at the Riverview Hospital in Pastoral Care as a Eucharistic Minister for over 20 years. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, receiving his Third Degree in Foley, Alabama, in 1953 while in the Navy.
Roger was a past member of Monmouth Beach Club, Beacon Hill Country Club, and, most recently, Rumson Country Club. He loved playing golf. His love for the game inspired many family members to learn, and he made many trips around the US and UK.
Roger and Pat took great pride in raising their children and, in later years, helping with their grandchildren. His greatest love and accomplishment in life was his family. He reveled in being on the sideline, cheering his children and grandchildren on at games and all events they participated in. He was known for bringing his small digital camera to document each event. Family dinners and vacations were beautiful highlights. He loved organizing family reunions with the Fitzsimmons and Riely clans in the backyard.
Roger was known to his friends and family for his quick wit and great jokes. You could tell one was coming when he would get a little twinkle in his eye and start elbowing the person next to him while winking. His ability to tell stories and jokes to the young and old of the family was an exceptional talent. It often left you with his infectious laughter ringing in your ears and a new understanding of the phrase “when Irish eyes are smiling.”
While Roger could be easily found in any room due to his unique laughter and deep voice, his signature bowtie collection didn’t hurt, especially when paired with his white bucks, green handkerchief, and Navy wings on his lapel. You could always find him in the center of a dance floor or shaking hands with old friends. Both often led to him clapping his hands and exclaiming, “GREAT LIFE!”.
Roger was predeceased by his parents, James and Anne Fitzsimmons, his brothers, James Fitzsimmons and Richard Fitzsimmons, and his sisters-in-law, Patricia Fitzsimmons and Barbara Fitzsimmons.
Roger is survived by his wife, Patricia, whom he was married to for 67 years; 3 children, Michael, Mark, and Barbara Kirkpatrick (David); and his four grandchildren, Colin, Erin, Daniel, and Xavier. He is also survived by his sister Nancy Fitzsimmons, her twin brother Joseph Fitzsimmons, his sister-in-law Peggy Fitzsimmons, and many nieces, nephews, good friends, and wonderful neighbors.
Roger lived by Faith, Family, and Notre Dame’s guiding principles.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, April 14th, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, April 15th at 9:30 am at The Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Rd, Fair Haven, NJ 07704. The interment will be private.
Instead of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice or commit small acts of kindness in his memory. Roger always explained to his children and grandchildren that small acts of compassion, such as holding the door open for someone or offering a stranger a smile, significantly impact people’s lives and often start a cascading effect. He reminded them that you are never too busy to be kind on multiple occasions.
The Fitzsimmons family is grateful for the nurses and aides from Meridian Home Health Care Hospice and the numerous visits from his sister Nancy.
https://thompsonmemorial.net/obituaries/2117-roger-j-fitzsimmons?highlight=WyJmaXR6c2ltbW9ucyJd
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/roger-fitzsimmons-obituary?id=51602748—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager