Henry Burk FitzPatrick, Jr., Esq., 83, of Haverford, PA., died Monday, December 16, 2013 at Kindred Hospital, Havertown, PA., from complications resulting from an auto accident.
He was born to the late Henry Burk and Pauline Horstmann FitzPatrick, June 10, 1930 in Philadelphia. Henry was graduated from Cranwell Prep, Lenox, MA, in 1947. He attended Georgetown University from 1947 to 1949 then transferred to Villanova University where he received his BS in Economics, in 1951. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army in July 1952. From 1953 to 1956 he attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate.
On December 27, 1951 he married Patricia Geatz., of Cumberland MD.
In 1956 he began his law practice with the late Raymond J. Broderick. In 1961 he was made a partner with the law firm now Broderick and FitzPatrick. In 1972 the firm became Liebert, Short, FitzPatrick, and Lavin. In 1988 with his colleague Marcy Tanker, Henry formed the firm of FitzPatrick and Tanker where he worked until 1997 when he was appointed Chief Staff Attorney for the PA Court of Judicial Discipline where he worked until his death.
Henry was a member of Merion Golf Club, a proud supporter of Villanova Wildcat athletics, and a founding member of the Caesar Rodney League which brought together the finest minds in the Commonwealth for conversation and good cheer. He was an avid reader and collector of books. He has over 2500 volumes in his personal library. He was a connoisseur of fine wine and cheese, and a secret poet who wrote engaging limericks in his spare time. He was the chief cheerleader and sideline constant for his many children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Patricia Geatz, and by ten children: Catherine M. FitzPatrick of Chesterbrook, Henry Burk FitzPatrick, III of Wayne, Patricia F. Donlon of Cambridge, MD, Siobhan M. FitzPatrick of Ardmore, Brian I. FitzPatrick of Collegeville, Kiera F. Werner of Bethlehem, Brendan A. FitzPatrick of Berwyn, Norman G. FitzPatrick of Berwyn, Cornelius R. FitzPatrick of Ardmore, and Colleen F. Markey of Wynnewood. He is also survived by his brother Fenton FitzPatrick of Bala Cynwyd and his sister Pauline FitzPatrick of Ft. Lauderdale, FL as well as 18 grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 PM and 7 to 9 PM Friday, December 20, 2013 at McConaghy Funeral Home, 328 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore and again for one hour before Mass on Saturday. Mass will be said at St John Neumann Church in Haverford, PA at 12:30 on Saturday.
The family has asked that memorial donations be sent to Mercy Vocational High School, 2900 West Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19129.