Obituary of Deacon John J. Fitzsimmons

Deacon John J. Fitzsimmons, 85, of Freehold Township passed away on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune Township. “Mr. Fitz”, as he was affectionately known, was born in New York City. He attended Ascension School, New York City and St. Joseph’s High School, Barrytown, N.Y. He received the Holy Habit of the Christian Brothers in September, 1949 taking the religious name of Brother Columban of Jesus. He attended Catholic University, Washington, D.C. where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry. Following college he taught mathematics and science at De La Salle Institute, New York City and St. Joseph’s High School, West New York. Dispensed from his vows as a religious, he began his career in public secondary education and married Rita Claire Desmond in 1964. For the next 30 years he held various positions as a teacher and administrator in the Freehold Regional High School District. After his retirement in 1994 he joined the guidance department of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft until 2002. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in chemistry and mathematics from Catholic University in 1964; a Master of Education Degree in administration and supervision from Rutgers University in 1970; and a Master of Arts Degree in religious studies from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1981. In addition he studied at Manhattan College, New York City and Monmouth University, West Long Branch. He was ordained in the first diaconate class for the Diocese of Trenton on May 14, 1977. Following the creation of the Diocese of Metuchen, Deacon Fitzsimmons requested incarnation to the new diocese to remain at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge where he served until his retirement in 2010. In addition to his diaconate assignment he served as director of the Office of Family Life from 1983 to 1996 and director of social ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. In 1991 he was awarded the papal honor of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. He was predeceased by a son, Daniel Stephen Fitzsimmons, in 1988. His brother, Patrick Fitzsimmons, died in 2015. Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Rita Claire Desmond Fitzsimmons; five sons and daughters-in-law, John and Donna, Kevin and Claire, Michael and Ricki, Brian and Kathryn, and Neal and Pamela Fitzsimmons; and 13 grandchildren, Katie, Molly, Patrick, Jack, Kelly, Mary, Megan, Declan, Caroline, Elise, Lauren, Ryan, and Abigail. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at the parish cemetery. Memorial donations to Muscular Dystrophy Association (www.mda.org) or De La Salle Nursing Development, 810 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 would be appreciated.