OBITUARY: James M. Fitzpatrick, 89

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — James M. Fitzpatrick, “Fitzy”, age 89, formerly a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025.

Fitzy was born in Boston, MA, on January 11, 1936; he was the dear son of the late James and Harriett (Britt) Fitzpatrick. He was raised in a large Irish Catholic family in Brighton, MA, and attended Brighton Schools.

In November of 1953, Fitzy enlisted in the United States Army and actively served overseas during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in July of 1956 and returned home to his family in Brighton. Fitzy was very Patriotic and a proud Veteran, throughout the years he was involved in countless Veterans Services and parades. He was always willing to help a fellow Veteran and served as a Chaplain for the residents at the Barracks in Brighton and while living in Maine he was the Chaplain for the Elks.

Fitzy was employed as a truck driver for the Teamsters Local 25 in Charlestown for many years before moving onto employment with the City of Boston, until his retirement.

Fitzy will be remembered as a man of great faith who loved God, his family, and his country.

Fitzy was the dear father of the late Susan Fitzpatrick, Patricia Aprile and husband Robert of York, ME, the late James Fitzpatrick and wife Janice, Michelle Minghella and husband Mark, Deborah Fitzpatrick, and Lois Daley and husband Stephen all of Wilmington. Beloved husband of the late Jacqueline (Bird) Fitzpatrick. “Grampa Fitz” to Daniel and Kristen Aprile, John and Leanne Aprile, James Fitzpatrick and companion Ariel, Jaclyn and Matthew Polasek, Matthew and Shannon Minghella, Christopher and Cheryl Minghella, Nicole French, Phillip and Elyssa Minghella, John Parella, Catherine and Bill Helsinki, the late Charles Minghella, Robert Townsend, Thomas Townsend, Peter Daley, Michael Daley, Stephen Daley, and his great-grandchildren Nolan, Tegan, Isabella, Colton, Logan, Lincoln, Caley, Lily, Landon, Liv, Owen, Chloe, and Mason. Brother of the late Patricia Schneider, Sister Mary Fitzpatrick, Harriett “Dottie” Quinlan, Ann LaRosee, Judith Sheehy, and Robert Fitzpatrick. Fitzy is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcome to attend Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Monday, July 7th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA. Please go directly to Church. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in James’s memory may be made to Local Heroes, Inc., P. O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.