Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Fitzpatrick, Joseph Thomas July 12, 2006
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 April 20, 2022, 4:23 am

Virginian-Pilot  July 13, 2006
NORFOLK - The Honorable Joseph Thomas Fitzpatrick died July 12, 2006, at DePaul 
Medical Center.  Born June 1, 1929, he was the son of Clarence Thomas and Alice 
Willis Fitzpatrick.  He was married for 44 years to Angeline Venuto, who 
predeceased him.

In 2001, Joe retired after 20 years as treasurer of the City of Norfolk.  He also 
served as vice president of the St. Mary's Cemetery Board from 1992 to 2000, 
president of the DePaul Advisory Board from 1994 to 1995, and founding director of 
Coastal Virginia Bank, now known as Bank of Hampton Roads, in 1987 and Bank of the 
Commonwealth in 1971.

His career in public service included his membership in the Senate of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia from 1975 to 1981.  In 1972 and 1976, he chaired the 
Virginian Delegations to the Democratic National Conventions.  The only citizen of 
Norfolk to be elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, he also served 
as a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1972 to 1979.

His life in politics spanned many years and campaigns.  Joe was the Democratic 
nominee for the Second District Congressional Seat in 1970 and chair of the Henry 
E. Howell Gubernatorial Campaign in 1969.  He led the Second Congressional 
District Committee from 1968 to 1972 and the Norfolk Democratic Executive 
Committee from 1964 to 1968.  Joe began organizing precincts as Norfolk Chair for 
the 1960 John F. Kennedy campaign.  He was also asked to serve as Robert F. 
Kennedy's presidential campaign manager for the Southern states.

In earlier years, Joe was a volunteer basketball coach at Barry Robinson Home for 
Boys from 1953 to 1964 and president of the Virginia Catholic High School League 
of Coaches Association from 1959 to 1963.  Recognition of Joe's leadership began 
in those teaching years when he was named 1962 Coach of the Year by the Virginia 
High School League.

Continuing to win accolades, he also received the Virginia Young Democrats' 
Outstanding Virginian Award in 1975, the Legislative Conservationist of the Year 
Award in 1979 and Virginia Treasurer's Association's 1990 Treasurer of the Year 
and 1995 Commonwealth Award.  In 1996, The Virginia Association of Local Executive 
Officers honored Joe with the Distinguished Service Award as well as the Virginian 
Statesman Award, which was created in his honor.

A great believer in the value of public service, Joe possessed an unfailing 
devotion to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Norfolk and his native Ocean 
View.  His achievements were always secondary to a determined loyalty to friends 
and family.  As a staunch adherent of the Fitzpatrick Irish motto, "The Brave 
yield only to the Brave," Joe often balanced his unrelenting belief in service 
with a wealth of understanding for doing the right thing.  His political acumen a 
legend, he leaves a legacy of  wit, loyalty and tenacity.

Joe is survived by three loving daughters, Barbara F. Cox, Kathleen Alice 
Fitzpatrick and her husband Edward Pawlowski, Mary Regis F. Williams and a 
faithful brother, C.V. Fitzpatrick and his wife Jackie.  He is also survived by 
his grandchildren, Michael Fitzpatrick Cox, Tracey Cox Hasick, Carl Joseph Cox, 
Thomas Blair McGinnis, Paul Fitzpatrick Williams and Katherine Hathaway Williams.  
He has two great-grandchildren, Taylor Anne Delaune and Ella Marie Cox, as well as 
numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe is also survived by an extraordinary companion and caregiver who performed her 
long-lasting duties as a true friend and loving "adopted" daughter, Julie Kerns.  
The family will long remember her and the caregivers, Mary Perkins, Maggie Baker 
and Pearle Torrence, who loved "Mr. Fitz" as much as he loved them.  The family 
also wishes to express appreciation to the administrators, doctors, nurses and 
staff at DePaul Medical Center for their kind support and thoughtful compassion.

The family will receive friends at H.D. Oliver Funeral Home, Norfolk, from 6 to 8 
p.m. Sunday.  The funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church at 2 p.m. Monday 
with a Mass of the Resurrection by Father David V. McGuire.  Interment will follow 

at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to The Barry Boys Scholarship Fund, c/o G. Michael 
Price, 333 W. Freemason St., Suite 102, Norfolk, VA. 23510.  The family will 
receive friends at the Town Point Club immediately following the committal 
service.

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