Walter D. Fitzgerald Jr., 87, a retired teacher, coach and referee, died March 18 at Physicians Regional Medical Center, Naples, Fla.
Born in Boston, he was a graduate of Boston
College High School, class of 1940; Boston College, class of 1944; and Boston University, where he earned
a Master of Education degree in 1953.
Mr. Fitzgerald served in the United States Navy during World War II and Korea. He attended Notre Dame in the Naval Academy program, graduating as a lieutenant JG and was a member of the Naval Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant commander.
Mr. Fitzgerald was a retired physical education teacher for the Boston public schools. He also coached hockey, football and baseball at Boston Trade High School and Madison Park High School.
He was a resident of Dorchester for over 80
years, winter resident of Countryside in Naples for
23 years and active in many groups and organizations. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Dorchester Lower Mills, Council 180; member of the Dorchester Veterans of Foreign Wars; member emeritus of the Norfolk Golf Club in Westwood; member of the Massachusetts High School Hall of Fame; professional football referee in the AFL, NFL and for the Eastern College Athletic Conference; past president of the Gridiron Club; and member of the Pikes Peak Club.
Husband of the late Ann (Martin) Fitzgerald, he is survived by his children, Elaine M. Greene, of Whitman, Joan A. Fitzgerald, of Roslindale, and Walter D. Fitzgerald III, of Roslindale; his siblings, ThomasFitzgerald, of Quincy, and Marie McSweeney, of Norwood; his grandchildren, Julie, Andrea, Carolyn, Daniel, Liam and Fiona; great-grandchildren, Victoria, Courtney and Keegan; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Gregory Church, Dorchester, on March 24. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Boston College
High School, 150 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester,
MA 02125.
Arrangements were by the Dolan Funeral Home.