Edward Francis Fitzgerald ’52

Edward Francis Fitzgerald ’52, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, died December 12, 2013, at his home in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Ed was born on July 15, 1930, and graduated from Conant High School in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. At Dartmouth Ed majored in history, was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and was active in many campus organizations. He received a master’s from Boston University and then began his career serving proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps for 31 years, retiring in 1983. He was a decorated infantry and military officer and held numerous command and staff positions. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat “V,” Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential and Navy Unit citations and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. In 1990 he began a 20-year career as a substitute teacher at Portsmouth High School. “Mr. Fitz” was a committed and enthusiastic teacher well known by students for his energy and genuine caring. The class of 2005 chose him to be its graduation keynote speaker and created a yearly scholarship in his honor. Mr. Fitz often said he was blessed to enjoy two rewarding and enjoyable careers, as a Marine and as a teacher. His wife, Winnie, predeceased him on April 10, 2013, and his first wife, Margery, passed away in 1990. He is survived by children C. Scott, C. Lyn, Kathleen and Robin; four grandchildren; and brother George ’54.